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Title: NATURAL PRESENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER SPP. IN THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF EARLY, MID AND LATE-LIFE BROILER BREEDER HENS

Author
item Richardson, Larry
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Bailey, Joseph
item WILSON, J - UGA
item Cosby, Douglas

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2005
Publication Date: 7/29/2005
Citation: Richardson, L.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Buhr, R.J., Bailey, J.S., Wilson, J.L., Cosby, D.E. 2005. Natural presence of campylobacter spp. in the internal organs of early, mid and late-life broiler breeder hens [abstract]. Poultry Science Association Meeting. 84(suppl.1):24.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. is known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. During the early (22 weeks of age), middle (38 and 40 weeks of age), and late (70, 72 and 74 weeks of age) stages in life, broiler breeder hens were euthanized, defeathered and aseptically opened to determine if Campylobacter spp. exist naturally in the internal organs of different commercial sources of hens. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the thymus, spleen, and liver/gallbladder were aseptically removed, prior to the ceca. Individual samples were placed in sterile bags, packed on ice and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. Campylobacter spp. was detected in 3/3 thymus, 1/3 spleen, and 3/3 ceca from 22 week old broiler breeder hens. In broiler breeder hens 38 weeks old, Campylobacter spp. was found in 1/5 spleen and 3/5 ceca. In 40 week old broiler breeder hens, Campylobacter spp. was found in 1/5 thymus and 3/5 ceca. Campylobacter spp. was found in 4/10 thymus, 4/10 spleens, 3/10 liver/gallbladders and 6/10 ceca from 70 week old broiler breeder hens. In 72 week old broiler breeder hens, Campylobacter spp. was found in 1/10 thymus, 2/10 spleen, 1/10 liver/gallbladder, and 8/10 ceca. Campylobacter spp. was also found in 2/10 thymus and 7/10 ceca in 74 week old broiler breeder hens. From this study, it is apparent that Campylobacter spp. can be found within the internal organs of broiler breeder hens at various stages of their lay cycle. Determining how and when Campylobacter infects these internal organs could provide important information in determining intervention strategies for reducing Campylobacter spp. in broiler and broiler breeder flocks and possibly preventing vertical transmission.