Prevalence Of Campylobacter Jejuni Research Articles

Profiles of Campylobacter jejuni from raw retail chicken meat: genetic diversity, pathogenic features, and antibiotic resistance

SummaryThe study aimed to assess Campylobacter jejuni prevalence in chicken meat, biofilm formation, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and molecular typing. In the study, 200 chicken meat samples were collected from local outlets and 51 (25.5%) isolates were identified as C. jejuni. Resistance rates to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin were 59%, 60%, 64%, and 64% respectively. Many of the isolates (49%) exhibited multidrug resistance. Beta‐lactamase and tetracycline resistance genes were found in 82.3% and 86.2% of isolates, respectively. Virulence genes were detected in various proportions. Biofilm formation was weak to moderate. ERIC‐PCR showed varied band profiles. Whole genome sequencing confirmed findings. The study highlights C. jejuni presence with antibiotic resistance, virulence and biofilm features in chicken meat, posing public health risks.

Effects of dietary yeast cell wall supplementation on growth performance, intestinal Campylobacter jejuni colonization, innate immune response, villus height, crypt depth, and slaughter characteristics of broiler chickens inoculated with Campylobacter jejuni at d 21

A study was conducted to assess the effects of a dietary yeast cell wall (YCW) with and without a Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) challenge. A total of 2,240-day-old Ross 708 males were randomly assigned within 8 treatments with a 4×2 factorial design, with 4 diets (negative control, positive control, YCW constant dose (400 g/ton), and YCW step-down dose (800/400/200 g/ton in the starter/grower/finisher diets, respectively) and with and without d 21 CJ oral gavage challenge at 5.2×107 CFU/mL. At d 0, 14, 28, and 41 body weights and feed consumption were measured to determine performance. At d 14, 28, and 42, 8 jejunal and ileal histology samples per treatment were collected for villi morphology measurements. At d 22 and 28 (1- and 7-days postinoculation), 24 ileal tissue samples per treatment were collected for relative gene expression analysis. At d 42, 24 cecal content samples per treatment were collected for CJ enumeration. Finally, on d 44, 96 birds per treatment were processed to determine carcass yield and 16 carcass rinses per treatment were collected to determine CJ prevalence after processing. Diet or inoculation did not impact broiler performance (P > 0.05). Limited differences were observed in intestinal morphology, and villus height and crypt depth were different only in the ileum at d 42 (P=0.0280 and P=0.0162, respectively). At d 1 postinoculation, differences between treatments inoculated with CJ and PBS were observed in the expression of avian beta defensin 10 (AvBD10), interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) (P < 0.05). At d 7 postinoculation, expression of AvBD10, IL-1ß, and IL-10 was similar among all treatments (P > 0.05). At d 42, all birds, regardless the inoculation, had similar levels of CJ recovered from cecal contents (P > 0.05). After processing, carcass yield and CJ prevalence postchilling was similar in all treatments (P > 0.05). Overall, under the conditions of this study, the addition of YCW during a CJ challenge did not have an impact in growth performance, innate immune response, cecal colonization, carcass yield, or CJ prevalence after processing.

Prevalence of campylobacter jejuni in meat

Prevalence of campylobacter jejuni in meat

Effects of Common Litter Management Practices on the Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in Broilers.

Simple SummaryThe bacterium Campylobacter is a significant cause of foodborne illness, causing over one million cases per year in the United States. Campylobacter is naturally found in chickens and can contaminate chicken products; therefore, strategies to lower Campylobacter presence in chickens are important to public health. Commercial chickens are raised in houses with bedding material, or litter, covering the floor. Litter can become contaminated with Campylobacter, which in turn will then colonize the birds. In some countries, after a flock of chickens is harvested, the litter is treated and reused for the next flock, which could spread Campylobacter. The goal of this study was to observe if reusing contaminated litter could indeed spread Campylobacter and to determine if common litter treatments were able to prevent contamination of the next flock. To determine this, previously used litter contaminated with Campylobacter was composted and treated with sodium bisulfate. A flock was raised on this litter and tested for Campylobacter for 42 days. No Campylobacter was detected in any of these samples, indicating that re-used litter is not a probable source for Campylobacter contamination of chickens.Campylobacter is an important foodborne pathogen and is naturally found in chickens. During broiler production, litter can become contaminated with Campylobacter when birds defecate, and this litter, in some countries, is typically reused for the next flock, potentially causing cross-contamination. The goal of this experiment was to observe if reusing contaminated litter could spread Campylobacter between flocks and to observe if common litter treatments could prevent this cross-contamination. To determine this, a flock of birds was inoculated with Campylobacter jejuni and allowed to naturally contaminate the litter for 42 days. After grow-out, birds were terminated, and litter was given five treatments: uninoculated fresh litter, untreated re-used litter, composted re-used litter, re-used litter treated with sodium bisulfate (45 kg/305 m2), and re-used litter composted and treated with sodium bisulfate (45 kg/305 m2). A second flock was placed on the litter, grown for 42 days, and tested for C. jejuni prevalence. Following inoculation of the first flock, high prevalence of C. jejuni was observed; however, after a 19-day down-time between flocks, no C. jejuni was detected in any samples from the second flock. These results indicate that re-used litter was not a significant reservoir for cross-contamination of broilers when provided a significant down-time between flocks.

In vivo efficacy of carvacrol on Campylobacter jejuni prevalence in broiler chickens during an entire fattening period

Carvacrol, a primary constituent of plant essential oils (EOs), and its antimicrobial activity have been the subject of many in vitro studies. Due to an increasing demand for alternative antimicrobials and an emerging number of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the use of essential oils has played a major role in many recent approaches to reduce Campylobacter colonization in poultry before slaughter age. For that purpose, the reducing effect of carvacrol on Campylobacter jejuni prevalence in broilers was determined in vivo in an experimental broiler chicken model during an entire fattening period. Carvacrol was added to the feed in a concentration of 120 mg/kg feed four days post hatch until the end of the trial. In this study, we demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of C. jejuni counts by 1.17 decadic logarithm (log10) most probable number (MPN)/g in cloacal swabs during starter and grower periods (corresponding to a broilers age between 1 and 28 days). Similar results were observed for colon enumeration at the end of the trial where C. jejuni counts were significantly reduced by 1.25 log10 MPN/g. However, carvacrol did not successfully reduce Campylobacter cecal colonization in 33-day-old broilers.

Molecular detection of Campylobacter jejuni in patients with Crohn's disease in Iran.

Background: Crohn's disease is one of the most significant intestinal disorders and is known as inflammatory bowel disease; Campylobacter spp. are one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Methods: In this study, 60 tissue samples, including 30 cases with Crohn’s disease and 30 cases with no inflammatory bowel disease, were collected. Patients were referred to Taleghani hospital and Behboud clinic between March 2015 and May 2016. Biopsies were used for DNA extraction and assessment of Campylobacter jejuni in patients with Crohn's disease and controls using polymerase chain reaction and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All positive amplified fragments were sequenced. The gene encoding 16S rRNA, specific to Campylobacter genus, was amplified. Results: The results were positive for Campylobacter genus in patients with Crohn's disease compared to healthy individuals. The quantitative real-time PCR showed a significantly higher prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni, particularly in hippurate hydrolase in tissue specimens of patients with Crohn's disease compared to control group. The correlation between Campylobacter jejuni and diarrhea symptoms in patients with Crohn's disease and controls was investigated. One positive case of Campylobacter jejuni found in patients without diarrhea was compared with 13 patients with diarrhea. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the alarmingly high rate of Campylobacter jejuni prevalence in Crohn's disease patients with diarrhea symptoms. However, further investigation is needed to determine the possible causing factors of this disease.

Identification through Culture and Molecular Methods of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus in Surface Waters in Rasht

Backgrounds: As zoonotic infectious agents, Campylobacter spp. are important factors causing gastroenteritis in humans. Surveys show that the three strains; Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus play a major role in human infections. Identification of these infectious agents is valuable for sanitary control of disease transmission through water resources.&#x0D; Objectives: The aim of this study was identification and molecular diagnosis of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus in surface waters in Rasht.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 samples of surface water in Rasht collected according to water health guidelines. After culture and biochemical tests on collected samples, detection and identification of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus was done using sequence-specific amplification by Multiplex PCR. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software.&#x0D; Results: Out of 45 samples tested, 6 were positive in culture, four of which were identified as Campylobacter jejuni after biochemical tests. Using Multiplex PCR, 8 samples were positive, from which 3 were Campylobacter jejuni, 1 Campylobacter coli and 4 were positive for both Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. All the samples did not yield C. fetus.&#x0D; Conclusions: Multiplex PCR is regarded a diagnostic method with higher sensitivity and specificity than compared to methods for Campylobacter. The prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in surface waters in Rasht is considerable. Therefore, public health measures for the control of these organisms are recommended.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni In Chicken Meat Marketed In Baghdad Province

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni In Chicken Meat Marketed In Baghdad Province

Studying the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in adults with gastroenteritis from northwest of Iran

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) in the patients with gastroenteritis. MethodsThis descriptive and analytical study included all adult patients with acute diarrhea admitted to the University Hospital of Zanjan Province who were enrolled in a one-year period from 2013 to 2014. Stool samples were checked for white blood cells (WBC) and lactoferrin, then samples with WBC ≤ 5 positive for lactoferrin were selected for amplification of mapA gene of C. jejuni by RT-PCR assay. ResultsIn this study, 864 patients (410 men and 454 women) with acute diarrhea were enrolled, of which about 718 patients had WBC less than 5 and 146 patients had WBC more than 5 in the stool exam. All inflammatory diarrhea samples were tested for lactoferrin and 111 cases of the samples tested were positive for lactferrin. A total of 40 samples out of 111 were positive for C. jejuni by RT. ConclusionsThe finding of this study showed that the prevalence of inflammatory diarrhea and diarrhea caused by Campylobacter in this study is high. This need for education and awareness in this area, as well as appropriate treatment is too important.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in raw milk and some dairy products.

Aim:This study was accomplished to test raw milk and certain dairy products sold in local markets of Qena, Egypt, for the presence of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni.Materials and Methods:A total of 150 samples of raw milk, kareish cheese, and yoghurt (50 samples each) were subjected first to enrichment in Bolton broth at 42°C for 2 days under a microaerobic condition, subsequently campylobacter blood free selective agar plates were cultured and incubated in the same condition of the broth. Based on the morphological and biochemical themes of the growing colonies, it was further classified into Campylobacter spp. The identified isolates were later affirmed by polymerase chain reaction using primers that were designed to locate hipO genes in C. jejuni and glyA in C. coli.Results:Of the total 150 examined samples of raw milk and soft cheese samples; 37 (24.6%) samples were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni was dominating in this study in 20%, 14%, and 8% of the examined raw milk, kareish cheese, and yoghurt samples, respectively. No sample harbored C. coli.Conclusion:Campylobacter spp. could be detected in 24.6% of the investigated samples. C. jejuni isolated from 14% of the total tested samples, while C. coli could not be detected from the examined samples. Campylobacter spp. is rampant in the areas of poor hygienic conditions making products made from raw milk of public health hazard.

Effect of Feed Form and Whole Grain Feeding on Gastrointestinal Weight and the Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in Broilers Orally Infected.

Two independent trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of feed form, whole wheat (WW) and oat hulls (OH) addition on gastrointestinal (GIT) weight and Campylobacter jejuni colonization in orally infected birds. In Trial 1, there were six treatments factorially arranged with two feed forms (mash vs pellets), and three levels of WW from 1-21/22-42d: 0/0, 7.5/15%, 15/30%. Broilers were allocated in cages (3 birds/cage, 12 cages/treatment). In Trial 2, there were three treatments: a mash diet, a mash diet including WW (7.5% from 1–21 and 15% from 22-42d), and a third treatment including also 5%OH. Broilers were allocated in floor pens (1 pen with 30 birds/treatment). At 14d, all broilers in Trial 1 or 3 broilers/pen in Trial 2 were orally challenged with 1.5 x 105 cfu of C. jejuni ST-45 /. In Trial 1, birds fed pelleted diets consumed 13.5% more feed, gained 31% more weight, and presented 12.9% better feed conversion for the whole trial (P<0.05). Pelleting decreased the relative weight of GIT and gizzard and increased the relative weight of proventriculus (P<0.05). Mash diets decreased pH in the gizzard (P<0.05). Inclusion of WW decreased the relative weight of proventriculus, increased gizzard weight, and reduced pH in the gizzard (P<0.05). At 21d of age, mash tended to reduce C. jejuni compared to pellets (7.85 vs 8.27 log10cfu/g; P = 0.091) and WW inclusion at 7.5/15% reduced C. jejuni colonization when compared to lower and higher inclusion (P<0.05). In Trial 2, birds fed T3 (WW+OH) showed 1.38 log10cfu/g less than birds fed Control diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, despite of the clear morphological changes in the GIT derived of FF and WW inclusion, no clear reductions in C. jejuni populations in the ceca were observed. However, WW and OH inclusion to mash diets significantly reduced cecal C. jejuni colonization at 42 days.

Influence of Host Ecology and Behavior on Campylobacter jejuni Prevalence and Environmental Contamination Risk in a Synanthropic Wild Bird Species.

Campylobacter jejuni is a foodborne pathogen that often leads to human infections through the consumption of contaminated poultry. Wild birds may play a role in the transmission of C. jejuni by acting as reservoir hosts. Despite ample evidence that wild birds harbor C. jejuni, few studies have addressed the role of host ecology in transmission to domestic animals or humans. We tested the hypothesis that host social behavior and habitat play a major role in driving transmission risk. C. jejuni infection and host ecology were studied simultaneously in wild American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in Davis, CA, over 3 years. We found that 178 of 337 samples tested were culture positive (53%), with infection varying by season and host age. Among adult crows, infection rates were highest during the winter, when migrants return and crows form large communal roosts. Nestlings had the highest risk of infection, and whole-genome sequencing supports the observation of direct transmission between nestlings. We deployed global positioning system (GPS) receivers to quantify habitat use by crows; space use was nonrandom, with crows preferentially occupying some habitats while avoiding others. This behavior drastically amplified the risk of environmental contamination from feces in specific locations. This study demonstrates that social behavior contributes to infection within species and that habitat use leads to a heterogeneous risk of cross-species transmission. Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in industrialized countries. Despite efforts to reduce the colonization of poultry flocks and eventual infection of humans, the incidence of human C. jejuni infection has remained high. Because wild birds can harbor strains of C. jejuni that eventually infect humans, there has long been speculation that wild birds might act as an important reservoir in the C. jejuni infection cycle. We simultaneously studied infection prevalence, social behavior, and movement ecology in wild American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). We found that social behavior contributed to patterns of infection and that movement behavior resulted in some areas having a high risk of transmission while others had a low risk. The incorporation of ecological data into studies of C. jejuni in wild birds has the potential to resolve when and how wild birds contribute to domestic animal and human C. jejuni infection, leading to better control of initial poultry contamination.

Virulence characterization of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from resident wild birds in Tokachi area, Japan.

The prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in wild birds is a potential hazard for human and animal health. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of C. jejuni in wild birds in Tokachi area, Hokkaido, Japan and investigate their virulence in vitro. In total, 173 cloacal swabs from individual wild birds were collected for the detection of Campylobacter spp. Thirty four samples (19.7%) were positive for Campylobacter of which 94.1% (32/34 samples) were C. jejuni. Additionally, one C. coli and one C. fetus were isolated. Seven C. jejuni isolates (one from crows and the other from pigeons) had important virulence genes including all three CDT genes (cdtA, cdtB and cdtC) and flaA, flaB, ciaB and cadF, and the other isolates were lacking cdtA gene. Further studies on in vitro virulence-associated phenotypes, such as motility assay on soft agar and invasion assay in Caco-2 cells, were performed. The wild bird C. jejuni isolates adhered and invaded human cells. Although the numbers of viable intracellular bacteria of wild bird isolates were lower than a type strain NCTC11168, they persisted at 48-hr and underwent replication in host cells.

Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli Isolated From Poultry Carcasses.

Background:Campylobacter is one of the leading bacterial species causing foodborne illnesses in humans. Antimicrobial agents have been extensively used for treatment of Campylobacter infections; but in the recent years, both animal and human isolates of this bacterium have shown resistance to several antibiotics such as tetracycline.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of genetic determinants of tetracycline resistance in Campylobacter spp. recovered from poultry carcasses in Shiraz, Iran.Materials and Methods:Eighty-three thermophilic Campylobacter spp. Isolates were first identified based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then screened for presence of tetracycline resistance genes (tet (A), tet (B), tet (O) and te (S)) by PCR.Results:The overall prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli among the examined isolates was 51.8% and 48.2%, respectively. Tetracycline resistance genes of tet (B) and tet (S) were not seen among these Campylobacter spp. Isolates, whereas the most common tet gene identified was tet (O), found in 83.1% (69/83) of all the isolates. The tet (O) gene sequence comparison between C. jejuni and C. coli showed 100% similarity and these sequences (JX853721and JX853722) were also identical to the homologous sequences of other strains of Campylobacter spp. existing in the GenBank databases. In addition, tet (A) was found in 18% (15/83) of Campylobacter spp. isolates. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of tet (A) in Campylobacter spp. There was 100% homology between the sequences of tet (A) from this study (JX891463 and JX891464) and the tet (A) sequences mentioned for other bacteria in the GenBank databases.Conclusions:The high prevalence of tet (O) resistance gene along with new detection of tet (A) resistance gene in Campylobacter spp. isolated from poultry carcasses revealed an extensive tetracycline resistance among Campylobacter isolates from poultry in Iran. It emphasized the need for cautious use of tetracycline in poultry production to decrease the extension of tetracycline-resistant Campylobacter spp.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in chicken produced by major poultry companies in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background Campylobacter is a foodborne pathogen that is commonly associated with chicken. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni (as affected by refrigerated storage) in chicken samples obtained from the wholesale poultry market in the northern part of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Findings A gradual increase in the number of positive samples was noted during storage at 4°C. On days 1, 3, and 7, the number of positive samples were 10 (30.305%), 15 (45.45%), and 27 (81.81%), respectively. Of 99 tested samples, 52 (52.25%) were positive for Campylobacter jejuni. Protein profiling by Sodium dodecyl sulfate -Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to identify Campylobacter jejuni. The results were verified using Analytical Profile Index (API Campy system, Marcy l’Etoile, France). Forty-three (82.69%) positive isolates were identified as C. jejuni subsp. jejuni 2, 5 isolates as C. jejuni subsp. jejuni 1 (9.61%), and 4 isolates as C. jejuni subsp. doylei (7.69). Conclusion C. jejuni positive samples increased rapidly during storage at 4°C for approximately 1 wk. Our results also indicated a connection between the protein profiles on SDS-PAGE and API Campy used for the identification of C. jejuni.

Prevalence of Campylobacter among goats and retail goat meat in Congo

The prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli was determined in goat and goat meat sold at retail outlets in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). A total of 644 samples, including 177 goat meat, 86 goat stomachs, 139 ready to eat (RTE) goat skewers, and 242 goat faecal samples were examined for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli using polymerase chain reaction. Overall, Campylobacter spp. were found in 34.6% of the examined samples. C. jejuni was isolated in 10.1% and C. coli in 26.7% of samples. Only 2.2% of all samples were positive for both species. There was a significant association between the prevalence of C. coli and the type of sample (p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter in different sample groups was 41.2%, 37.2%, 23.7%, and 35.1% for goat meat, goat stomachs, RTE goat skewers, and goat faecal samples, respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the prevalence observed in the rainy season (16.7%) and the dry season (20.0%). Moreover, the overall prevalence of Campylobacter in slaughter sites, open-air markets, warehouses, and semi-open-air markets was 28.2%, 34.2%, 35.4%, and 42.9%, respectively. Statistically, there was no influence of the sample collection site on the frequency of isolation of Campylobacter (p > 0.05). This study shows that, considering the relatively high prevalence of this pathogen, live goat and goat meat are major sources of human and environmental contamination by Campylobacter spp. in Lubumbashi.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli species in cats and dogs from Bydgoszcz (Poland) region

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of cats and dogs as a potential reservoir of Campylobacter spp. Rectal swabs from 83 dogs and 71 cats were examined. Samples were obtained from the animals aged between 2 weeks and 24 months living in shelters, private households, farms and from veterinary clinics located in Bydgoszcz region during routine check-up. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 4.81% dogs and 9.86% cats, respectively. C. jejuni was predominant in this study. All strains were isolated in autumn and winter from the animals living in farms and private houses. All the animals positive for Campylobacter prevalence had access to small water basins, accidental source of food and had contact with wild birds, poultry or their feaces. Isolates characterization revealed high prevalence of Campylobacter virulence genes-flaA, cadF and cdtB. 91% of isolated strains were susceptible to erythromycin. 81% among isolated strains were susceptible to azithromycin, 64% to tetracycline and 36% to ciprofloxacin. For 2 C. jejuni strains isolated from cats Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling indicated 80% homology between them.

Farm and environmental distribution of Campylobacter and Salmonella in broiler flocks

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in broilers and their distribution in the indoor and outdoor farm environment. Nine hundred samples (400 faecal; 300 indoor environment; 200 outdoor environment), were collected from 10 individual broiler houses on 10 farms. Campylobacter jejuni prevalence was significantly higher (P=0.003) in faeces (29.5%; 118/400) than the environment (0.8%; 4/500) in contrast to Salmonella Typhimurium from faecal (8.8%; 35/400) and environmental (8.4%; n=42/500) sources (P=0.217). S. Typhimurium predominantly exhibited antimicrobial resistance (AR) to streptomycin (46%) and tetracycline (31.5%). C. jejuni isolates exhibited AR only to tetracycline (55.5%). The PFGE profile revealed 100% similarity between S. Typhimurium isolates from faecal and environmental sources. No relationship was detected between C. jejuni isolates. The low prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the outdoor environment indicates that it may not be a significant reservoir for transmission of these pathogens on broiler farms.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia associated with reduced lamb carcase productivity

On two extensive sheep farms in southern Western Australia, 111 (Farm A) and 124 (Farm B) female crossbred lambs (2–6 weeks old) were randomly selected and individually identified using ear tags (a numbered tag and radio-frequency tag) at marking. On five separate occasions, faecal samples were collected and live weight, body condition score (BCS), faecal consistency score (FCS), breech fleece faecal soiling score and faecal dry matter percentage (DM%) were recorded. Lamb hot carcase weight (HCW) and dressing percentage were measured at slaughter. Faecal samples were screened by PCR for Cryptosporidium (18S rRNA, actin and 60kDa glycoprotein [gp60] loci), Giardia duodenalis (glutamate dehydrogenase [gdh] and triosephosphate isomerise [tpi]) and Campylobacter jejuni (16S rRNA). Observation of Eimeria oocysts and faecal worm egg counts (WECs) were performed using a modified McMaster technique. The WECs were adjusted for FCS for analyses. Faecal samples were screened for patent strongylid infections using PCR (specifically ITS-2 nuclear ribosomal DNA for Teladorsagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus spp. and Haemonchus contortus). Lambs positive for Cryptosporidium at least once had lighter HCWs by 1.25kg (6.6%) (P=0.029) and 1.46kg (9.7%) (P<0.001) compared to lambs never positive for Cryptosporidium for Farms A and B respectively. Similarly, dressing percentages were 1.7% (P=0.022) and 1.9% (P<0.001) lower in Cryptosporidium-positive lambs on Farms A and B respectively. Lambs positive for Giardia at least once had 0.69kg (P<0.001) lighter HCWs and 1.7% (P<0.001) lower dressing percentages compared to lambs never positive for Giardia on Farm B only. Cryptosporidium-positive lambs at the second sampling were 4.72 (P=0.010) and 3.84 (P=0.002) times more likely to have non-pelleted faeces compared to Cryptosporidium-negative lambs for Farms A and B respectively. Breech fleece faecal soiling scores of Cryptosporidium-positive lambs were 3.36 (P=0.026) and 2.96 (P=0.047) times more likely to be moderate to severe (scores 3–5), compared to negative lambs at the second sampling for Farms A and B respectively. Live weight, growth rate and BCS were inconsistently associated with protozoa detection across different samplings and farms. Adjusted WEC was correlated positively with FCS and negatively with faecal DM%, differing between sampling occasions and farms. Campylobacter jejuni prevalence was very low (<1%). Adjusted WEC were not correlated with carcase attributes, growth rates or live weights. This study is the first to quantify productivity consequences of naturally acquired protozoa infections in lambs managed under extensive farming conditions.

Prevalence of Campylobacter in Wild Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA

We evaluated the occurrence of three Campylobacter species--C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari--from 333 wild bird fecal samples collected at Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware, in 2008. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, we detected C. jejuni from six avian families with an overall prevalence rate of 7.2%. We did not detect any other Campylobacter species. Campylobacter jejuni prevalence ranged widely between different avian families with crows (Corvidae) and gulls (Laridae) having the highest prevalence rates (23% and 25%, respectively).