TY - JOUR

T1 - Contamination of poultry environment with campylobacter Spp. and significance for colonisation of broilers

AU - Lydekaitiene, Viktorija Legaudaite

AU - Malakauskas, Mindangas

AU - Kudirkiene, Egle

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - Various animal species, wild birds, rodents and pets are the main source of Campylobacter contamination in broiler farms. However, little is known about the ability of these bacteria to survive outside the host and their role in the colonisation of broilers. Therefore, in this study we aimed to identify the sources of Campylobacter in poultry farm environment and their significance for broiler colonisation. For this purpose, Campylobacter spp. were isolated from broilers and their environment (litter, water of puddle, concentric zones, tap water) by both direct inoculation on mCCDA selective medium and selective enrichment into Exeter broth. Campylobacter isolates were identified to the species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The genetic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from broilers and the environment was examined by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR amplified portion of the flagellin-A (flaA) gene. The results revealed that 28.5% out of 752 samples were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. The flaA-RFLP analysis of 263 C. jejuni isolates revealed 21 different flaA genotypes. Each broiler flock had specific Campylobacter genotypes, which had not been transmitted to other broiler flocks reared in the same building. Studies have shown that Campylobacter can survive in poultry environment. They can be transferred from the environment into broiler houses by shoes, cloths and wildlife. Therefore, strict bio-security and hygiene rules must be implemented at the farm level to prevent spread of this pathogen. Additionally, hostile environment for pathogenic bacteria must be established in the areas around a broiler house.

AB - Various animal species, wild birds, rodents and pets are the main source of Campylobacter contamination in broiler farms. However, little is known about the ability of these bacteria to survive outside the host and their role in the colonisation of broilers. Therefore, in this study we aimed to identify the sources of Campylobacter in poultry farm environment and their significance for broiler colonisation. For this purpose, Campylobacter spp. were isolated from broilers and their environment (litter, water of puddle, concentric zones, tap water) by both direct inoculation on mCCDA selective medium and selective enrichment into Exeter broth. Campylobacter isolates were identified to the species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The genetic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from broilers and the environment was examined by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR amplified portion of the flagellin-A (flaA) gene. The results revealed that 28.5% out of 752 samples were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. The flaA-RFLP analysis of 263 C. jejuni isolates revealed 21 different flaA genotypes. Each broiler flock had specific Campylobacter genotypes, which had not been transmitted to other broiler flocks reared in the same building. Studies have shown that Campylobacter can survive in poultry environment. They can be transferred from the environment into broiler houses by shoes, cloths and wildlife. Therefore, strict bio-security and hygiene rules must be implemented at the farm level to prevent spread of this pathogen. Additionally, hostile environment for pathogenic bacteria must be established in the areas around a broiler house.

KW - Campylobacter jejuni

KW - Campylobacteriosis

KW - Poultry

KW - RFLP

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:84997217068

VL - 73

SP - 62

EP - 68

JO - Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

JF - Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

SN - 1392-2130

IS - 95

ER -