ARS | Publication request: Potentials for bacteriocin development to control Campylobacter in broilers

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 14, 2009
Publication Date: September 27, 2009
Citation: Svetoch, E.A., Stern, N.J. 2009. Potentials for bacteriocin development to control Campylobacter in broilers. Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop.

Technical Abstract: Dramatically enhanced biosecurity, enhanced fly screen control, competitive exclusion, immunization and phage therapies may hold suggestions to experimentally control flock infections but have yet to be demonstrated as commercially plausible or effective. Alternatively, bacteriocins (BCN) which are non-toxic ribosomally produced antimicrobial peptides secreted by heterologous bacteria have been selected, cultured and purified for delivery through broiler drinking waters. Using this farm-friendly applied approach has resulted in at least four different BCN being demonstrated as highly efficacious in therapeutic oral treatment of both chicken and turkeys. Mature Campylobacter-colonized broilers (>5 weeks old, simulating ANY source of intestinal colonization) given BCN over the 3 days prior to slaughter and processing consistently reduced 5 to 6 logs of cecal colonization. The simplicity of adding BCN to flock in medicators makes such interventions very easy for farmers and delivers poultry to the processing plants with greatly reduced potentials for transmitting Campylobacter as human disease. The goal of producing raw chicken carcasses consistently containing <<103.5 cfu/carcass at a modest cost is at hand.