Abstract
Campylobacter sp is an important agent that causes foodborne infection, particularly in food of poultry origin. Therefore, the efficient control of the transmission routes in chicken farms is of outmost importance to prevent it from spreading. In chicken farms, the main transmission route of this microorganism is horizontal, as the vertical route continues to be the object of inconclusive researches. The objective of this study was to verify the presence of Campylobacter sp in breeder hens, meconium, and other organs of day-old chicks derived from these breeders in order to obtain information on vertical transmission. Microbiological analyses were performed, using cloacal swabs from 279 breeder hens. Positive breeders were segregated, and the presence of Campylobacter sp. was verified in their progeny by analyzing 117 meconium samples; 36 heart, liver and spleen samples (pool of 3 day- old chicks per sample), and 34 intestine samples (pool of 3 chickens in each sample). The analysis of the 279 breeder hens showed that 39 (13.97%) were positive for Campylobacter sp, using the cloacal swab method. The meconium and the organs of day-old chicks were not positive. The physiological characteristics of breeder hens, of eggs, and of Campylobacter sp favor the entrance of bacteria and their survival inside the eggs, and therefore, this probably is the contamination route of day-old chicks. However, chick meconium and organs were negative in the present experiment, indicating that the vertical way of transmission is a rare event.
Highlights
The objective of this study was to verify the presence of Campylobacter sp in breeder hens, meconium, and other organs of day-old chicks derived from these breeders in order to obtain information on vertical transmission
The role of the genus Campylobacter as an emergent microorganism related to food contamination, of avian origin, has been emphasized in different parts of the world (Aquino, 1995), It is the main cause of gastroenteritis in humans in the United States of America and other developed countries (Friedman et al, 1998)
Campylobacter sp in breeder hen flocks Samples were collected in a broiler breeder farm, and in a hatchery, both located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Summary
The role of the genus Campylobacter as an emergent microorganism related to food contamination, of avian origin, has been emphasized in different parts of the world (Aquino, 1995), It is the main cause of gastroenteritis in humans in the United States of America and other developed countries (Friedman et al, 1998). Due of the concern of the association of Campylobacter sp with foods of avian origin, and the knowledge of its transmission route, the efficient control of chicken farms is necessary. Refrégier-Petton et al (2001) reported several studies conducted to determine the infection pathways in birds. Environmental factors, such as high temperature, deficient air circulation inside the shed, poor water quality, infected workers’ boots, and the presence of small insects are critical points for flock contamination
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