Handling Of Poultry Research Articles

Prevalence of Newcastle Disease Diagnosed at the Avian Clinic, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria: A retrospective survey

Introduction: Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral disease of birds caused by a negative sense single-stranded RNA virus known as the Newcastle disease virus. It is a disease of almost all species of domestic and wild birds with devastating impacts on poultry health and production. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ND within species, breeds, age and vaccination history from the period of 2014-2018. Methods: A five- year retrospective study (2014-2018) of cases of poultry diseases diagnosed at the Avian Clinic of Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U), Zaria, Nigeria was conducted, the prevalence of ND within species, breeds, age and vaccination history was determined. Case records file were collected, studied, and clinically diagnosed cases of ND were extracted. Results: It was observed that of the 1,768 poultry cases presented, 754 (42.6%) were confirmed as ND. Most cases were recorded in chickens 710 (40.2%). The prevalence was highest in the improved breed 670 (37.9%) while the local and unknown breeds had prevalence of 4 (0.2%) and 80 (4.5%) respectively. Birds within 8-13 weeks of age had the highest prevalence of 276 (15.4%) while the lowest prevalence of 19 (1.1%) was recorded in birds of unknown ages. Birds with history of incomplete vaccination (single vaccination) had the highest prevalence of 232 (13.1%), while those with complete vaccination history (three rounds of vaccination) had the lowest prevalence of 50 (2.8%). Significance: Poor management practices and improper knowledge of vaccination by the poultry handlers may be responsible for the prevalence pattern of ND recorded. Adequate biosecurity measures and routine vaccination are recommended to minimize the outbreak of ND.

Campylobacteriosis, consumer's risk perception, and knowledge associated with domestic poultry handling in Ireland

AbstractCampylobacter is the chief cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in developed countries and poultry is considered as the main cause of infection. Nonetheless, of extensive scientific efforts to exterminate the Campylobacter and numerous measures currently implemented, it has not been successful to provide Campylobacter‐free poultry. Therefore, this study aimed to depict the level of perceived risk and identify the target groups who exhibit particularly unsafe behavior by surveying the general public residing in Ireland. A total of 1,171 participants from all over the Republic of Ireland contributed to the survey. Result reveals that a substantial number of consumers still lacks awareness. Not more than 9.5% were very knowledgeable, that is, those who attained 70% passing score and 30.7% attain a score between 50 and 70%. A total of 40.2% overall pass rate. Significant differences were found in their risk perception and gender (p ≤ .05), age (p ≤ .05), and education level (p ≤ .05). This study observed that male, age between 18 and 25 with primary or no qualification and living alone are the group who exhibit particularly unsafe behavior when preparing poultry and are require most in risk communication effort. By informing, elevating the awareness, and affirming the severity of the risk to the consumer, subsequently, the incidents of Campylobacteriosis can be reduced in the Irish population.

Characterization of Listeria Monocytogenes Originating from the Spanish Meat-Processing Chain.

Using agglutination techniques, 118 Listeria monocytogenes isolates from red meat and poultry were serotyped. Strains were ascribed to the serotypes 4b/4e (44.1% of the strains), 1/2 (a, b or c; 28.0%), 4c (6.8%), 4d/4e (5.9%) and 3 (a, b or c; 2.5%). Among these are the serotypes most frequently involved in cases of human listeriosis. The susceptibility of 72 strains to 26 antibiotics of clinical importance was determined by disc diffusion (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; CLSI). High levels of resistance were observed to cefoxitin (77.8% of the strains showed resistance), cefotaxime (62.5%), cefepime (73.6%), nalidixic acid (97.2%), nitrofurantoin (51.4%) and oxacillin (93.1%). Less than 3% of the strains showed resistance to the antibiotic classes used in human listeriosis therapy (i.e., ampicillin, gentamicin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, and tetracycline). The influence of species and serotype on the growth kinetics (modified Gompertz equation) and on the adhesion ability (crystal violet staining) of nine isolates of L. monocytogenes (serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, and 4d), and one strain of Listeria ivanovii were investigated. The maximum growth rate (ΔOD420-580/h) varied between 0.073 ± 0.018 (L. monocytogenes 1/2a) and 0.396 ± 0.026 (L. monocytogenes 4b). The isolates of L. monocytogenes belonging to serotypes 3a and 4a, as well as L. ivanovii, showed a greater (p < 0.05) biofilm-forming ability than did the remaining strains, including those that belong to the serotypes commonly implied in human listeriosis (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b). The need for training in good hygiene practices during the handling of meat and poultry is highlighted to reduce the risk of human listeriosis.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Salmonella Typhimurium Isolated from Commercial Poultry and Poultry Farm Handlers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from commercial poultry and handlers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Study Design: Investigative.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria, from 1st November 2017 to 31th April 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 1500 samples (poultry droppings, poultry flesh, feeds, handlers’ faeces and hand swabs) were screened for the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium using pre-enrichment and selective enrichment culture media. Subculture of inoculated samples was done on Salmonella-Shigella agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar. Presumptive Salmonella colonies were confirmedas serovar Typhimurium using both the conventional biochemical screening tests and Microgen Bio product GN identification system and slide agglutination test using polyvalent antisera. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and interpretation were carried out as described by the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute guidelines.&#x0D; Results: Resistance was highest to Augmentin (98.1%) and lowest to Imipenem (1.0%). No resistance was observed in all the isolates from poultry handlers to Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Gentamicin and Streptomycin; but all were resistant to Ampicillin and Augmentin. The resistance of isolates from poultry and handlers to all the antibiotics is significant (χ 2 = 13.037; P = 0.01). Most (86.7%, 92/106) resistant isolates belong to the multiple drug resistance class.The distribution of classes of resistance of isolates from poultry and handlers is significant (χ2 = 318; P = 0.00). MARI is greater than 0.2.&#x0D; Conclusion: Salmonella Typhimurium with increasing multidrug resistance to antibiotics especially the β-lactam antibiotics has emerged in poultry.

A strain comparison of Campylobacter isolated from retail poultry and human clinical cases in Atlantic Canada.

Campylobacter is the leading cause of food-borne bacterial disease in Canada and many developed countries. One of the most common sources of human campylobacteriosis is considered to be the consumption or handling of raw or undercooked poultry. To date, few Canadian studies have investigated both the prevalence of Campylobacter on retail poultry and its potential impact on human clinical cases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. at the retail level and the correlation between subtypes recovered from chicken and those recovered from human clinical cases within the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. From this study 354 human clinical isolates were obtained from provincial hospital laboratories and a total of 480 packages of raw poultry cuts were sampled from retail outlets, yielding 312 isolates (65%), of all which were subtyped using comparative genomic fingerprinting (CGF). Of the 312 chicken isolates, the majority of isolates were C. jejuni (91.7%), followed by C. coli (7.7%) and C. lari (0.6%). Using CGF to subtype C. jejuni and C. coli isolates, 99 and 152 subtypes were recovered from chicken and clinical cases, respectively. The most prevalent human and chicken subtypes found in NS are similar to those observed nationally; indicating that the Campylobacter from this study appear to reflect of the profile of Campylobacter subtypes circulating nationally. Of the subtypes observed, only 36 subtypes were common between the two groups, however, these subtypes represented 48.3% of the clinical isolates collected. The findings from this study provides evidence that in Nova Scotia, retail poultry can act as a reservoir for Campylobacter subtypes that have been implicated in human illness.

Bacteriological assessments of foodborne pathogens in poultry meat at different super shops in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Poultry is now considered as a major fast-growing source of meat in the world. The consumers demand safe and hygienic products without contamination with pathogenic microorganisms when the production and consumption of poultry meat is gradually increasing. The present study was conducted to assess the bacterial contamination of dressed chicken collected from different supershops in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The chicken samples from S1, S2, M1, M2 and A supershops were analyzed to determine the enteropathogenic bacteria in poultry meat. Three genera of bacteria were isolated from all of the chicken meat samples. These enteropathogens from various organs of dressing chickens were also enumerated. The isolates were presumptively identified as E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. by conventional culture method. The three enteropathogens were subjected to PCR assay for their confirmation as virulent enteropathogens. Only E. coli isolates were confirmed as pathogenic E. coli (Enterotoxigenic), other isolates were not confirmed as virulent Salmonella spp., Shigella spp.. Results of this study demonstrated that more cautions are recommended for personnel hygiene in processing and handling of poultry and poultry products to prevent occurrence of enterotoxigenic E. coli in dressed poultry meat sold by the supershops in Bangladesh.

ROLE OF DOMESTIC BIRDS IN TRANSMISSION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI AND SALMONELLA SPECIES AS A ZOONOTIC PATHOGENS

The role of domestic birds as a zoonotic reservoirs and sources of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella species was investigated. For this purpose, a total of 442 samples were collected from 191 poultry (70 chicken, 51 ducks and 70 pigeons) and humans (25 stool specimens and 35 hand swabs). Concerning poultry samples, two samples (one cloacal swab and another feather) were taken from each bird. All samples were subjected for isolation and identification of E. coli and Salmonella spp., the recovered isolates were serologically typed. PCR technique was used for further CHARacterization of some E. coli and Salmonella strains. Occurrence of E. coli isolated from cloacal swabs of birds was 37.4%, while Salmonella spp.was 5.1%. E. coli. Overall percentages of E. coli isolated from feather samples of birds was 37.4%, meantime Salmonella spp. was 4.6%. Regarding the isolated strains from human, E. coli isolated from hand swabs of poultry handlers was 20%, and Salmonella spp. was 2%. While occurrence of E. coli isolated from feacal samples of poultry handlers was 64% and Salmonella spp. was 4%. The typed E. coli serotypes as O91:H21, were CHARacterized strain EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E. coli), O2:H6, O78, O1:H7, O146:H21, O44:H18, O114:H4 and O158 were strain CHARacterized EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli), O127:H6 were strain CHARacterized ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli). It was concluded that domestic poultry in the examined areas considered a significant zoonotic reservoir for E. coli and Salmonella spp. Same serotypes and genotypes of E. coli and Salmonella spp. could be detected in both domestic poultry and humans, suggesting its zoonotic importance and these serotypes are circulated between domestic poultry and humans in the examined areas. The public health importance, healthy education as well as other precautions and preventive measures that recommended to the infection of such zoonotic bacteria in domestic birds and humans were fully discussed.

Consumer Poultry Handling Behavior in the Grocery Store and In-Home Storage

Considerable work on consumers' food safety habits has highlighted issues associated with home food preparation. However, consumer handling of foods, such as poultry, during shopping and storage has not been noted. The objective of this study was to determine consumer behaviors during purchasing and initial storage of raw poultry to determine potential cross-contamination issues. A shop-along observational study was conducted to determine actual shopping, transportation, and storage behavior of consumers who purchase raw poultry products. Neither hand sanitizer nor wipes were observed in 71% of grocery store meat sections of stores visited. Plastic bags could be found in the meat section 85% of the time, but only 25% of shoppers used the bag for their raw poultry purchases. During checkout, the poultry was bagged separately from other products 71% of the time. A majority of shoppers stored raw poultry in the original package without an additional container or overwrap. Overall, there needs to be an increase in food safety education on the handling of poultry during purchasing, transportation, and storage.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern ofCampylobacterspecies among poultry and poultry handlers of Jammu

Campylobacter is one of the emerging zoonotic pathogens with poultry and their products serving as an important source of human infections. The present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of Campylobacter species among poultry and poultry handlers of R.S. Pura, Jammu and their antibiogram pattern. A total of 177 samples from poultry (n = 167) and poultry handlers (n = 10) were examined and 39 samples were found positive for Campylobacter species (32 C. jejuni, 6 C. coli and 1 C. lari). The prevalence of Campylobacter was 40.3, 13.2, 7.7 and 30.0% in poultry faeces, poultry meat, poultry carcass swabs and poultry handlers, respectively. Antimicrobial resistance pattern of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates was studied against nine antibiotics. Multidrug resistance among the isolates was found against ampicillin, metronidazole and cepholathin while high sensitivity was observed towards gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, furazolidone and tetracycline. The results of the present study indicate high prevalence of Campylobacter both in poultry and poultry handlers with varying in vitro sensitivity to different antibiotics. The outcome enunciates that appropriate control measures ensuring safety of poultry products and human health need to be devised.

Assessment of Biosecurity Practices in Broiler Chicken Farms in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt

The aim of this study was to assess biosecurity measurers and practices in broiler chicken farms in one of the highly populated areas of the Nile Delta, Egypt. A cross sectional study was conducted in which 267 broiler chicken farms were selected from Gharbia Governorate. In addition to data collected by individual interviews using structured questionnaires, interviewers’ observations were also recorded. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the key variables from the questionnaire. A univariate binary logistic regression model, with yes/no outcomes as responses and farm size as a reference was used for comparing management practices across broiler chicken farms. A bout 60% of farms was small scale of less than 5,000 birds per production cycle. The main source of chicks was breeder companies and almost all farms sold broilers to live bird traders. The distances between farms and between farms and the residential areas were less than that specified by the Egyptian law for poultry farms. More than 70% of farms had no official veterinary supervision and in most farms there were no hygienic handling and disposal of dead poultry and poultry manure. In conclusion, most of broiler chicken farms in the study area were of small scale with low or no biosecurity measures which increase the likelihood of disease transmission between farms and between farms and backyard poultry and increase the risk of human exposure to potential health hazards. Policy makers should take into account the perception and attitudes of producers in order to implement effective and applicable biosecurity measures. They should also collaborate with private sectors such as breeder companies and veterinarians to spread the awareness and to motivate actors along the poultry value chain to implement biosecurity measures to protect wealth and health. Further studies for identifying knowledge, attitudes and practices of different actors involved in poultry production in Egypt toward biosecurity measures are required.

Characterization of raw egg and poultry handling practices among minority consumers

Purpose– Consumers of minority race/ethnicity in the US experience greater rates of foodborne illness, including Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis. Previous focus group research with minority consumers identified food handling and purchasing practices which might increase their risk for foodborne illness. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether practices identified in focus groups were common among a larger sample of the population.Design/methodology/approach– A survey including focus group-derived, culturally themed questions about food handling was developed and administered. Phone surveys were administered in English, Spanish, and Chinese from September-November of 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Findings– Minority consumers were significantly more likely than Caucasian consumers (p&lt; 0.05) to purchase live poultry and to purchase eggs unrefrigerated. Minority consumers were also more likely to report cooking offals and cooking a whole turkey overnight. Washing raw poultry was found to a prevalent behavior (85.7-89.1 percent) among Caucasians as well as minority consumers (95.0-97.9 percent).Research limitations/implications– This research surveyed consumers in a limited geographic area therefore results may not be generalizable to other geographic areas.Originality/value– The existence of unique unsafe food handling practices among minority consumers highlights the need for researchers to understand food handling practices of minority consumers in their countries. It also highlights the need to develop culturally appropriate safe food handling messages for immigrant and minority consumers. Additionally there is a need to better advise all consumers not to wash raw poultry.

Critical Segments in the Dissemination and Transmission of Salmonella Species from Poultry Production in Calabar, Nigeria

Salmonella species are ubiquitous enteric bacteria, its ability to survive at different stages of the poultry production and food processing chain has been frequently reported in recent years. The present study was undertaken to investigate the points in the segments involved in the production of poultry in Calabar as vital sources of dissemination and transmission of Salmonella species to humans. A total of 374 samples were collected from three study segments involved in the production of poultry in Calabar, within the period of August 2013 and May 2014. 170 samples were collected from different points in poultry environment which includes (feed from feeders, water from drinkers, litter/faeces from floor, abattoir reins and drag swab from wall); 136 samples were taken from the live birds (cloacal swab, gut, carcass and egg); and 68 samples were derived from poultry handlers (stool specimens and hand wash). The samples were collected aseptically and analysed for the presence of Salmonella species based on the ISO 6579:2002 involving standard bacteriological, biochemical and serologic techniques. The Chi-square, student t-test and simple descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data obtained in this study at 95% confidence level. Salmonella species were recovered from 221 (59.1%) of the examined samples involved in the production of poultry in Calabar. There was no significant statistical difference in the rate of recovery of Salmonella species from the poultry environmental segment (58.8%), bird segment (55.1%) and poultry handlers segment (67.6%) (P = 0.230), implying that these three segments are equally important in the maintenance, dissemination and transmission of Salmonella species. Salmonella species were recovered from all the study sample points implying that all the study poultry sample points are sources of Salmonella species. However, the highest recovery rate of Salmonella species was observed in the stool sample points of poultry handlers (91.2%) and poultry gut sample points (79.4%) which were significantly different from the rest of the poultry sample points (P = 0.021), implying that these two sample points are the major sources of Salmonella species and are critical in the dissemination and transmission of Salmonella species.

Awareness Regarding Preventive Measures of Avian Influenza Among the Adult People of Thimi Municipality, Nepal

Avian influenza is considered as a threat to global public health. Prevention and control depends on the awareness of the general population as well as high risk-groups. The avian influenza should be viewed more seriously because it may lead to pandemic influenza when the virus mutates its strain with the common human influenza. Thus, this study aims to explore the awareness regarding preventive measures of avian influenza among the adult population of Thimi Municipality. The objective of this study was to explore awareness regarding preventive measures of avian influenza among the adult population of Thimi Municipality. It is a cross-sectional, population based study. It was carried out in Thimi Municipality from May 15 to June 15, 2012. Pre tested structured questionnaire was used for face to face interview with randomly selected 250 subjects. Out of 250 subjects, 123 (49.2 %) were males. The mean age of subjects was 36 ± 11.8 year. Among total subjects, 94.4 percent had heard about avian influenza. The main source of information was television (94.1%). Majority of subjects (84.9 %) thought that keeping infected birds and poultry as the mode of transmission followed by eating not well cooked poultry meat (82.8 %). Out of total study subjects, 165 (66.0 percent) mentioned fever and 138 (55.2 percent) thought fatigue as the signs and symptoms. As for knowledge about preventive measures, majority (85.6%) stated that cleaning the surfaces that had come in contact with the poultry could prevent the disease and 83.2 % had knowledge that the infection could be prevented by washing hands with soap and water after poultry handling. Awareness regarding preventive measures was found significantly low in females, middle adults, illiterates, and house wives. The awareness regarding avian influenza was quite satisfactory among the adult people of Thimi Municipality. However level of awareness was seen lower in female, illiterate and middle adult. So that along with large scale mass education, there should be specific health education program for the specific group of population.

Predictors for Risk Factors for Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses by Poultry Handlers in Live bird markets in Uganda.

Live bird markets (LBMs) are essential for marketing poultry, but have been linked to many outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) and its spread. In Uganda, it has been observed that demographic characteristics of poultry traders/handlers influence activities and decision-making in LBMs. The study investigated the influence of socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers: age, sex, religion, educational background, level of income, location of residence and region of operation on 20 potential risk factors for introduction and spread of AI in LBMs. Study sites included 39 LBMs in the four regions of Uganda. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 424 poultry handlers. We observed that background of education was a predictor for slaughter and processing of poultry in open sites. Location of residence was associated with slaughter of poultry from open sites and selling of other livestock species. Region influenced stacking of cages, inadequate cleaning of cages, feeders and drinkers, and provision of dirty feed and water. Specifically, bird handlers with secondary level of education (OR = 12.9, 95% CI: 2.88-57.4, P < 0.01) were more likely to be involved in open site slaughter of poultry than their counterparts without formal education. Comparatively, urbanite bird handlers were less likely to share poultry equipment (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.22-0.63, P < 0.01) than rural resident handlers. Poultry handlers in Northern were 3.5 times more likely to practise insufficient cleaning of cages (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.52-8.09) compared to those in Central region. We demonstrated that some socio-demographic characteristics of poultry handlers were predictors to risky practices for introduction and spread of AI viruses in LBMs in Uganda.

The Efficacy of the Natural Plant Extracts, Thymol and Carvacrol against Campylobacter Colonization in Broiler Chickens

AbstractCampylobacter is a leading worldwide cause of foodborne illness associated with consumption of poultry products. Unfortunately, most preharvest treatments fail to reduce this enteric foodborne pathogen in poultry. The efficacy of natural plant extracts, such as thymol and carvacrol, has efficacy against other enteric pathogens but has not been evaluated against Campylobacter. To accomplish this, day old broiler chicks (n = 10 chicks/dose) were fed 0% (controls) or thymol or carvacrol or combinations of these compounds in feed in four different trials. Birds were orally challenged with Campylobacter jejuni at day 3 and at day 10, cecal samples were collected for Campylobacter enumeration. Campylobacter counts were reduced for 0.25% thymol (trial 1), 1% carvacrol or 2% thymol (trial 2) treatments, or a combination of both thymol and carvacrol at 0.5% (trial 3) in this study (P &lt; 0.05). These results support supplementation of these compounds in feed to reduce Campylobacter colonization in chickens.Practical ApplicationsCampylobacter is one of the major causes of foodborne enteritis worldwide, and the majority of human campylobacteriosis cases were reported to be associated with improper handling and/or consumption of undercooked poultry . Because poultry are the major contributors for human infections, eliminating or reducing Campylobacter in poultry would greatly reduce the risk of campylobacteriosis in humans. Many strategies have been tried to eliminate Campylobacter with limited success. Considering the increasing consumer demand for natural, safer food products, free from synthetic residues, use of natural compounds with proven antimicrobial efficacy appears to be a promising strategy to control Campylobacter in poultry. In the present study we evaluated the in vivo efficacy of different concentrations and combinations of two natural compounds, thymol and carvacrol, against Campylobacter colonization in broiler chickens.

Serological Survey of Brucellosis in Slaughtered Local Chickens,Guinea Fowls, Ducks and Turkey in North-Eastern Nigeria

Serological survey to determine Brucella infection in traditionally managed local chickens, guinea fowl, ducks and turkey in Borno State was conducted using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Microtitre Agglutination Test (MAT). Out of 556 sera from local chicken, 84 from guinea fowls, 50 from ducks and 40 from turkey were examined, the seroprevalence of rates of 10(1.8%), 6(7.1%), 2(5.0%) and zero were obtained from the local chicken, guinea fowl, duck and turkey, respectively by RBPT. While MAT recorded 13(2.3%), 8(9.5%) and 3(6.0%) from local chickens, guinea fowl and duck, respectively. Brucellosis is present in local chickens, guinea fowl and turkey which may serve as source of infection to livestock and humans. Public education and enlightenment campaign to poultry handlers on the dangers, there is need for a large scale epidemiological investigation of the disease in chickens.

Characterization and reactivity of broiler chicken sera to selected recombinant Campylobacter jejuni chemotactic proteins

Campylobacter jejuni, a Gram-negative rod bacterium, is the leading causative agent of human acute bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Consumption and handling of raw or undercooked poultry are regarded as a major source for human infection. Because bacterial chemotaxis guides microorganisms to colonization and invasion in the host cells, proteins involved in chemotactic processes can be novel targets for vaccine development. In this communication, we report amplification, cloning and expression of the C. jejuni chemotactic proteins in an Escherichia coli expression system. A total of 15 chemotactic protein genes were successfully expressed. These recombinant proteins were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing, SDS-PAGE analysis and immunoblot analysis of six-His and hemagglutinin tags. Twelve recombinant chemotactic proteins were further tested whether they were antigenic using sera from broiler chickens older than 4weeks. The immunoblot results show that each chicken serum reacted to a variety of the recombinant proteins, but all sera reacted to the Cjj0473 gene product (annotated as a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein), suggesting that anti-Campylobacter antibodies may be prevalent in the poultry population. These antibody screening results provide a rationale for further evaluation of the Cjj0473 protein as a potential vaccine for broilers to improve human food safety.

Do the Current Campylobacter Detection Methods in Poultry Carcass Fail To Include Viable But Non-Culturable (VNBC) Cells?

Campylobacter, a microaerophilic, spiral-shaped, Gram-negative bacterium, is a major cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacter genus includes 12 species and C. jejuni and C. coli are the most common isolates and involved in human gastrointestinal infection [1]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that C. jejuni causes 2.4 million cases in the United States each year and is the causative agent for 5-14% of overall diarrheal diseases worldwide. Campylobacteriosis with C. jejuni, is characterized by the rapid onset of fever, abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Sporadic cases are most common and are often associated with handling and consumption of undercooked poultry and poultry products as C. jejuni is part of the normal intestinal flora of chicken. The presence of C. jejuni in processed chicken carcasses offered for retail sale was determined by both conventional bacteriological cultural techniques and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR base identification methods were able to detect and identify higher percentage of Campylobacter spp. in various type of the specimens

Campylobacteriose-Ausbrüche in Hessen, 2005-2011 - und immer wieder Rohmilch

Campylobacter is the most frequently reported cause of acute infectious diarrhea in Germany. Campylobacter outbreaks are rare events. However, their investigation provides useful information on risks of infection and unused prevention potentials. We analyzed the Hessian database for notifiable diseases for cases of campylobacteriosis reported from 2005 through 2011. For campylobacter outbreaks including five or more cases we prospectively obtained additional information from local public health authorities. From 2005 through 2011, 29,473 cases of campylobacteriosis were reported in Hesse, Germany (approx. 6 million inhabitants), yielding an annual incidence ranging from 53.4 to 81.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Only 236 cases were part of 16 outbreaks with five or more cases. Among these, six outbreaks occurred among groups traveling outside Germany, four were associated with the consumption of raw milk. For eight outbreaks consumption of poultry was considered a probable or - based on the frequent consumption of poultry during group travel - possible vehicle of infection. Two of the raw-milk associated outbreaks were reported among two groups who visited the same farm within 18 days. Five of 14 members of several families and 77 of 117 students fell sick. The local public health authority was only informed when both groups had visited the farm. The reported outbreaks can be attributed to known risk factors for campylobacteriosis - consumption of raw milk and poultry and international travel. This underlines that prevention possibilities are insufficiently used. These include avoiding the consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products, the hygienically correct handling of raw poultry and timely identification and notification of outbreaks to public health authorities.

Measures to combat H7N9 virus infection in China: Live poultry purchasing habits, poultry handling, and living conditions increase the risk of exposure to contaminated environments

From March 31 to May 31, 2013, 132 cases of humans were infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus, 39 of which resulted in death in China, which sparked global concerns about public health. Fortunately, no new case was reported in China since May 8, which seems like to make it step into a stable stage, and the emergency response to the event launched by Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Hu'nan of China have been terminated currently. However, on July 20 and August 10, two new cases were reported from two provinces--Hebei and Guangdong--where no case was reported during the period of spring of 2013. The emerged two new cases rung an alarm bell, thus, the continued public health response cannot let down its guard. Based on our before studies, we found that live poultry purchasing habits, poultry handling, and living conditions increase the risk of exposure to H7N9 virus contaminated environments in China. Due to the difficulty in changing live poultry purchasing habits and in thoroughly removing or closing live poultry markets in China, we suggest that enhanced regulation of poultry markets would be a more feasible and effective strategy to fight against H7N9 virus infection in China. Moreover, in view of the fact that frequent and inevitable contact between rural residents and poultry where rural residents lived also exists due to poultry handling and living conditions, the enhanced regulations on environmental health are also needed for free-range poultry, especially in rural areas.