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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #188018
Title: Natural Presence of Campylobacter spp. in Various Internal Organs of Commercial Broiler Breeder Hens.

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

Submitted to: Avian Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2006
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Cray, P.J., Bailey, J.S., Wilson, J.L., Hiett, K.L. 2006. Natural presence of campylobacter spp. in various lymphoid origins bodies of commercial broiler breeder hens . Avian Diseases. 50(3):450-453.

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter spp. are known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. Little is known about the incidence and significance of this organism inside adult broiler breeder lymphoid tissues. In this study, we found that Campylobacter spp. can reside in different lymphoid tissues of commercial broiler breeder hens. The incidence of Campylobacter spp. in the internal tissues of commercial broiler breeders could be significant; particularly if they persist in these organs as reservoirs throughout the 65 week life cycle of breeding birds and as such play a role in the egg transmission of this human pathogen.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. Six experiments were performed to determine if Campylobacter spp. could be isolated naturally from the lymphoid-like tissues of commercial broiler breeder hens. Broiler breeder hens were acquired from different commercial sources during the early, middle, and late lay cycles. The birds were euthanized, de-feathered and aseptically opened. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the thymus, spleen, and liver/gallbladder were aseptically removed prior to the ceca. Individual samples were placed in sterile bags, packed on ice and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. In this study Campylobacter spp. were found in 11/43 thymus, 8/43 spleen, 4/43 liver/gallbladder, and 30/43 ceca. Overall, 28/53 isolates were Campylobacter coli and 25/53 isolates were found to be Campylobacter jejuni.