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Title: PRESENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI IN THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF INOCULATED BROILER BREEDER HENS

Author
item Cox Jr, Nelson
item Richardson, Larry
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: Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Bailey, J.S., Wilson, J.L., Cosby, D.E. 2005. Presence of campylobacter jejuni in the internal organs of inoculated broiler breeder hens [abstract]. Poultry Science Association Meeting.84(suppl.1):16.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Two studies were conducted to determine if Campylobacter jejuni could reside in the internal organs of adult broiler breeder hens. In study 1, university housed broiler breeders at 22 weeks of age were obtained and placed in individual cages. Each hen was vaginally inoculated weekly from 23 to 32 weeks of age with a characterized strain of Campylobacter jejuni. Four days post-inoculation at weeks 23, 27, and 32, hens were euthanized, de-feathered and aseptically opened. In study 2, university housed broiler breeder hens were obtained at 42 weeks of age, placed in individual cages and inoculated either orally or vaginally with a characterized strain of Campylobacter jejuni. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the thymus, spleen, and liver/gallbladder were aseptically removed, prior to the ceca. In both studies samples were individually analyzed. In study 1, at 23 weeks of age Campylobacter jejuni was found in 4/7 thymus, 2/7 spleens, 5/7 liver/gallbladders, and 6/7 ceca. At 27 weeks of age, Campylobacter jejuni was found in 1/7 thymus and 1/7 ceca. At 32 weeks of age, Campylobacter jejuni was found in 4/11 thumus, 1/11 liver/gallbladders,and 2/11 ceca. In study 2, Campylobacter jejuni was found in 2/6 thymus and 5/6 ceca after oral inoculation. Campylobacter jejuni was found in 1/6 spleen, 1/6 liver/gallbladders, and 4/6 ceca after vaginal inoculation.