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Title: Genotype analysis of Campylobacter spp. isolated from various internal organs of commercial broiler breeder hens

Author
item Hiett, Kelli
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item Richardson, Larry
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Cray, Paula
item Bailey, Joseph
item WILSON, J - UGA

Submitted to: International Poultry Forum Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/28/2006
Publication Date: 1/22/2007
Citation: Hiett, K.L., Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Cray, P.J., Bailey, J.S., Wilson, J.L. 2007. Genotype analysis of Campylobacter spp. isolated from various internal organs of commercial broiler breeder hens. International Poultry Forum Proceedings. p.53-43. Abstract # P163. (Abstract)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are presently believed to be the leading bacterial etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis in the human population. Evidence implicates poultry as a significant source of the organism for human illness; however, the pathways involved in Campylobacter spp. contamination of poultry flocks remain unclear. In an effort to further understand the dissemination of naturally occurring Campylobacter spp. through commercial broiler breeder hens, Campylobacter spp. isolates previously recovered from the primary and secondary lymphoid organs, liver/gallbladder, and ceca of broiler breeder hens were genotyped using flagellinA Short Variable Region (flaA-SVR) DNA sequence analysis. In general, two predominant subtypes were recovered from each flock (representing four different age groups) tested. Interestingly, the flocks tested at 22 and 66 weeks of age revealed two distinct subtypes, that upon further analyses, were determined to delineate into species specific (C. jejuni or C. coli) subtypes. Isolates that grouped in the C. jejuni specific subtype (all isolates recovered from week 66) were recovered from the liver/gall bladder, spleen, and thymus. However, this group did not contain any isolates recovered from the ceca. Isolates that comprised the C. coli specific subtype (recovered during weeks 22 and 66) were originally recovered from all locations tested. This investigation demonstrates that similar subtypes of Campylobacter spp. are naturally present within the internal organs of the bird’s body. Further delineation of the initially observed difference in recovery locations between Campylobacter species is needed.