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Title: Presence of naturally occurring Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella spp. in the internal organs of 6 and 8 week old commercial broilers

Author
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item Richardson, Larry
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Bailey, Joseph
item Cray, Paula

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/3/2005
Publication Date: 1/23/2006
Citation: Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Bailey, J.S., Cray, P.J. 2006. Presence of naturally occurring Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella spp. in the internal organs of 6 and 8 week old commercial broilers. Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts. 85(Supl1):208-209.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that when Campylobacter or Salmonella were either orally or intracloacally inoculated into day old broiler chicks, within one hour these bacteria moved rapidly to the lymphoid organs. These bacteria were still present one week after inoculation. The objectives of the present study were to determine if Campylobacter and Salmonella are naturally present in some of these internal organs of commercial broilers and if present, what species or serovars would be found. Six and eight week old broilers were obtained from a commercial poultry operation and brought to the laboratory for analysis. Necropsy was limited to the removal of the spleen, liver/gallbladder (L/GB) and ceca using aseptic techniques. To reduce the possibility of cross contamination between samples, the spleen and L/GB were aseptically removed prior to the ceca. Samples were individually bagged and standard laboratory procedures for Campylobacter and Salmonella were carried out for all samples. Thirty 6 week old broilers were analyzed and Campylobacter were found in 10/30 L/GB, 8/30 spleen and 14/30 ceca. Salmonella were found in 1/30 L/GB, 2/30 spleen, and 2/30 ceca. Forty 8 week old broilers were analyzed and Campylobacter were found in 2/40 L/GB, 3/40 spleen and 10/40 ceca. Salmonella were found in 21/40 L/GB, 15/40 spleen, and 25/40 ceca. The internal organs of the younger birds were more heavily contaminated with Campylobacter while Salmonella was the predominant organism isolated in the older birds. There is no doubt that these bacteria are naturally present in these organs. Overall, Campylobacter was found in 12/70 L/GB and 11/70 spleen, while Salmonella were isolated from 22/70 L/GB and 17/70 spleen. All Campylobacter isolates were found to be C. jejuni. The predominant Salmonella serotype was S. Typhimurium, however 7 other serotypes were found. The significance of these reservoirs in the internal organs of commercial broilers is yet to be determined but may have an impact on the microbiology of the intestinal tract and hence the final food product.