Approaches to prevent and control Campylobacter spp. colonization in broiler chickens: a review.

Abstract

Campylobacter, Gram-negative bacteria, is the most common cause of acute bacterial enteritis in human beings, both in developing and developed countries. It is believed that poultry, in particular broiler chickens, is the main host of human infection with Campylobacter. Handling and consumption of contaminated chicken meat are the usual modes of transmission. Prevention and reduction of Campylobacter colonization in poultry farms will cut off the road of infection transmission to humans throughout the food chain. With the incidence of antibiotic resistance and with growing concern about superbugs, the search for natural and safe alternatives will considerably increase in the coming years. In this review, we will discuss the prevalence and risk factors of Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens and sources of infection. This review also provides extensive and recent approaches to prevent and control Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens, including biosecurity measures, natural feed/drinking water additives with antimicrobial properties, bacteriocins, bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and vaccination strategies to prevent and control the incidence of human campylobacteriosis.