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Title: MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY, GASTROINTESTINAL ECOLOGY AND INTERVENTIONS FOR COMMENSAL HUMAN FOOD-BORNE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN THE CHICKEN AT THE POULTRY MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY RESEARCH UNIT

Author
item Seal, Bruce

Submitted to: Poultry Science Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2005
Publication Date: 9/15/2005
Citation: Seal, B.S. 2005. Molecular epidemiology, gastrointestinal ecology and interventions for commensal human food-borne bacterial pathogens in the chicken at the poultry microbiological safety research unit. Poultry Science Symposium Proceedings. Avian Gut Function in Health and Disease. V.28, p. 385.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens, the three leading causes of human bacterial food-borne illness, are commonly associated with normal poultry gastrointestinal flora. Additionally, Listeria monocytogenes, is considered to be the deadliest bacterial food-borne pathogen. Our research unit determined using DNA sequence correlated to rep-PCR analysis, speciation of Campylobacter spp., serotyping of Salmonella spp., and source-tracking for Clostridium perfringens. Using suppressive-subtractive hybridization and proteomics, genes associated with membrane protein glycosylation were identified that may promote colonization of Campylobacter jejuni in the chicken. Microbial ecology of the chicken gastrointestinal tract, the chicken reproductive tract, chicken internal organs, and exogenous biofilms was assayed utilizing real-time PCR and biophotonics methods. Furthermore, investigators in the unit have developed bacteriocins (anti-bacterial peptides) and identified bacteriophages as potentially effective intervention strategies for alternatives to antibiotics in animal feeds. This was accomplished by assaying bacteria, such as Paenibacillus polymyxa, for anti-Campylobacter spp. replication and by isolating lytic bacteriophage specific for Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium perfringens from poultry processing plants and sewage. The bacteriophages have DNA genomes that are approximately 50kb in size. Investigators have also improved cultural methods for Campylobacter spp. obtained from poultry by developing a chromogenic selective plating medium, Campy-Line agar.