DETECTION OF CAMPYLOBACTER AND SALMONELLA IN THE MATURE AND IMMATURE OVARIAN FOLLICLES OF LATE-LIFE BROILER BREEDER HENS

Authors: Cox Jr, Nelson; Bailey, Joseph; Richardson, Larry; Buhr, Richard - Jeff; Hiett, Kelli; Siragusa, Gregory; Cosby, Douglas; WILSON, J - UGA; BOURASSA, D - UGA; Musgrove, Michael

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2004
Publication Date: 7/27/2004
Citation: Cox, Jr., N.A., Bailey, J.S., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Hiett, K.L., Siragusa, G.R., Cosby, D.E., Wilson, J., Bourassa, D.V., Musgrove, M.T. 2004. Detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the mature and immature ovarian follicles of late-life broiler breeder hens. [abstract] Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. 83(suppl.1):145.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter and Salmonella are known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. Four trials were conducted to determine if Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. exist naturally in the mature and immature ovarian follicles of late-life broiler breeder hens. Broiler breeder hens ranging from 60-66 weeks of age were obtained from four different commercial breeder operations. For each trial, the hens were removed from the commercial operation and held overnight at the University of Georgia processing facility. The hens were euthanized, de-feathered and aseptically opened. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the mature and immature ovarian follicles were aseptically removed, then the ceca. Individual samples were placed in sterile bags, packed on ice and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. Overall, Campylobacter was found in 5/43 immature follicles, 9/35 mature follicles and 30/43 ceca. Campylobacter was found in at least one of each sample type in each of the four trials. Salmonella was found in 0/43 immature follicles, 1/35 mature follicles and 8/43 ceca. In this study the recovery rate of Salmonella from late-life broiler breeder hen ovarian follicles was relatively low. However, the recovery rate of Campylobacter from the hen ovarian follicles was reasonably high suggesting that these breeder hens could be infecting fertile hatching eggs. Determining how Campylobacter contaminated these ovarian follicles and how many chicks may become colonized from this source are the next steps in helping to elucidate a better understanding of this ecology and control of Campylobacter in poultry production.