Battersby T, Whyte P, Bolton D J
Teagasc Ashtown Food Research, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
J Appl Microbiol. 2016 Apr;120(4):1108-18. doi: 10.1111/jam.13066. Epub 2016 Mar 7.
The aim of this study was to apply the most sensitive molecular techniques in combination with culture-based methods to characterize broiler farms in terms of the timeline ('appearance' and 'pattern') of Campylobacter contamination prior to and post detection in the birds.
Faecal and environmental samples were collected from three broiler farms (two flocks per farm). Real-time PCR was used to test for the presence of Campylobacter. Culture-based methods (enrichment and direct plating) were also applied and isolates were subject to a range of confirmatory tests before speciation (multiplex PCR). All flocks were colonized by Campylobacter before first thin and a similar pattern of Campylobacter contamination was observed; (day -1) a range of external and internal samples real-time PCR positive but culture negative; (day 0) chicks negative; (6-9 days pre-detection in the birds) internal samples (feeders, drinkers, barrier and/or bird weigh) culture positive and (post broiler infection) increasing concentrations of Campylobacter in internal samples but also on the tarmac apron and anteroom.
It was concluded that; (i) vertical transmission did not occur; (ii) the environment was a potential source of Campylobacter; (iii) testing areas frequented by all birds (e.g. feeders and drinkers), may offer an opportunity for early Campylobacter detection and (iv) once the broilers are infected with Campylobacter, these bacteria are spread from the birds, through the anteroom to the areas surrounding the broiler house, highlighting the need for improved biosecurity.
This study has established the pattern of Campylobacter contamination on broiler farms, identified an early detection opportunity, highlighted the need to better understand the role of viable but nonculturable Campylobacter in the ecology of Campylobacter on broiler farms and demonstrated the need for improved biosecurity to prevent the spread of Campylobacter from within the house to the surrounding environment.
本研究旨在应用最灵敏的分子技术，并结合基于培养的方法，根据鸡群中弯曲杆菌检测前后的时间线（“出现情况”和“模式”）来描述肉鸡养殖场的特征。
从三个肉鸡养殖场（每个养殖场两批鸡群）采集粪便和环境样本。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（Real-time PCR）检测弯曲杆菌的存在情况。同时应用基于培养的方法（增菌培养和直接平板接种），分离菌株在进行菌种鉴定（多重聚合酶链反应）之前需经过一系列确证试验。所有鸡群在首次清群前均已被弯曲杆菌定植，且观察到类似的弯曲杆菌污染模式；（第-1天）一系列外部和内部样本实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测呈阳性但培养结果为阴性；（第0天）雏鸡检测为阴性；（鸡群检测前6 - 9天）内部样本（喂食器、饮水器、围栏和/或鸡只称重处）培养结果为阳性，且（肉鸡感染后）内部样本以及停机坪和前厅的弯曲杆菌浓度不断增加。
得出以下结论：（i）不存在垂直传播；（ii）环境是弯曲杆菌的潜在来源；（iii）检测所有鸡只经常接触区域（如喂食器和饮水器），可能为早期检测弯曲杆菌提供机会；（iv）一旦肉鸡感染弯曲杆菌，这些细菌会从鸡只传播，通过前厅扩散到鸡舍周围区域，这突出了加强生物安全措施的必要性。
本研究确定了肉鸡养殖场弯曲杆菌污染的模式，识别出早期检测机会，强调需要更好地了解活的但不可培养的弯曲杆菌在肉鸡养殖场弯曲杆菌生态中的作用，并证明需要加强生物安全措施以防止弯曲杆菌在鸡舍内传播到周围环境。
