Modulation of the immune response to improve health and reduce foodborne pathogens in poultry

Authors: Swaggerty, Christina - Christi; CALLAWAY, TODD - University Of Georgia; Kogut, Michael - Mike; PIVA, ANDREA - Vetagro Spa; GRILLI, ESTER - Vetagro Spa

Submitted to: Microorganisms
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2019
Publication Date: 2/28/2019
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/6471140
Citation: Swaggerty, C.L., Callaway, T.R., Kogut, M.H., Piva, A., Grilli, E. 2019. Modulation of the immune response to improve health and reduce foodborne pathogens in poultry. Microorganisms. 7(3):65. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7030065.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms7030065

Interpretive Summary: Salmonella and Campylobacter are the two leading causes of bacterial-induced foodborne illness with a cost greater than $5.5 billion per year in the United States. In fact, the number of foodborne disease outbreaks associated with Salmonella has increased since 1965 and continues to send people to the hospital. Food production animals including cows, pigs, and chickens are known to carry these bacteria. While the number of Salmonella outbreaks resulting from poultry has decreased, the same cannot be said for Campylobacter; estimates suggest poultry products still account for 50-70% of human cases. The poultry industry has driven selection based heavily on growth and performance traits, which can leave the bird with a weakened immune response. Despite increasing demand for poultry products, public outcry and government regulations have banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters, pressuring the industry to find different ways to keep the birds healthy. One approach is to incorporate a nutritional program that naturally enhances the bird’s immune response to control foodborne and poultry pathogens, therefore reducing antibiotic use. Nutritional immunomodulation manipulates the immune system using a dietary supplement to boost immune function. Research has shown that nutritional modulation of the immune system will target ways to reduce inflammation, boost a weakened immune response, manage gut health, and provide an alternative approach to prevent disease and control foodborne pathogens. The role of nutritional immunomodulation is just one part of a comprehensive plan to produce a healthy bird that will also be a safe and wholesome product for consumers.

Technical Abstract: Salmonella and Campylobacter are the two leading causes of bacterial-induced foodborne illness in the United States. Food production animals including cattle, swine, and chickens are transmission sources for both pathogens. The number of Salmonella outbreaks attributed to poultry has decreased; the same cannot be said for Campylobacter, where 50-70% of human cases result from poultry products. The poultry industry selects heavily on performance traits, which adversely affects immune competence. Despite increasing demand for poultry, regulations and public outcry resulted in the ban of antibiotic growth promoters, pressuring the industry to find alternatives to manage flock health. One approach is to incorporate a nutritional program that naturally enhances and modulates the bird’s immune response. Nutritional immunomodulation manipulates the immune system using a targeted supplementation of dietary nutrients and compounds to alter immune function. Science-based nutritional modulation of the immune system will target ways to reduce inflammation, boost a weakened response, manage gut health, and provide an alternative approach to prevent disease and control foodborne pathogens when conventional methods are not efficacious or not available. The role of nutritional immunomodulation is just one aspect of an integrated, coordinated approach to produce healthy birds that are also safe and wholesome products for consumers.