ARS | Publication request: Comparative media investigation and MLST characterization of Campylobacter spp. recovered from broiler fecal, carcass rinse, and exudate samples

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 28, 2011
Publication Date: May 21, 2011
Citation: Seal, B.S., Hiett, K.L., Morales, C., Line, J.E., Oakley, B. 2011. Comparative media investigation and MLST characterization of Campylobacter spp. recovered from broiler fecal, carcass rinse, and exudate samples. Meeting Abstract. Volume: III Page:1340.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are considered a leading bacterial etiology of acute gastroenteritis in human populations. Several investigations focused on delineating Campylobacter spp. epidemiology have been conducted; however a complete understanding of the critical sources for Campylobacter spp. transmission through integrated poultry operations continues to remain elusive. It is believed that a significant contributor to our lack of understanding regarding Campylobacter spp. transmission is the use of several highly selective cultivation media, thus making comparison between different studies problematic. Methods: Two vertically integrated broiler flocks were sampled during production and processing, using 5 media, 2 temperatures, and 2 atmospheres. Additionally, processed birds were placed at 4C whereupon exudate was sampled at day 2. Recovered Campylobacter spp. isolates were subtyped using both flaA SVR and MLST. Results: Analyses demonstrated that cultural recovery of Campylobacter spp., relative to sample type, was similar among 4 media, independent of temperature or atmosphere conditions. Levels of Campylobacter spp. recovered were approximately 10(6) cfu/ml for fecal samples and 10(2) cfu/ml for both rinse and exudate samples. Initial subtype analyses of isolates from 1 flock recovered with these 4 media and from the 3 sample types, revealed a predominant sequence type (ST-939) belonging to the ST-353 clonal complex. The Campycheck recovery method (filtration onto non-selective media) resulted in significantly lower recovery rates, 10(3) cfu/ml for fecal samples, and less than 10(1) for rinse and exudate samples. Conclusions: These results will provide insight into the comparability of investigations using various recovery media. Additionally, comparison with results obtained from 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing investigations will assist in refinement of a more efficacious recovery media for Campylobacter spp.