Isolation of Campylobacter from circulating blood of commercial broilers via vena-puncture of exposed/unexposed brachial veins

Authors: Richardson, Larry; Buhr, Richard - Jeff; Cox Jr, Nelson; Hiett, Kelli; HARRISON, M - UGA

Submitted to: Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2007
Publication Date: 9/2/2007
Citation: Richardson, L.J., Buhr, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Hiett, K.L., Harrison, M.A. 2007. Isolation of Campylobacter from circulating blood of commercial broilers via vena-puncture of exposed/unexposed brachial veins. Campylobacter Helicobacter and Related Organisms International Workshop. P288, Zoonoses Public Health, 54:(Suppl. 1)98.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. have recently been recovered from several lymphoid tissues of commercial poultry. The objective of this study was to determine whether naturally occurring Campylobacter spp. could be recovered from the circulating blood of market age commercial broilers utilizing aseptic techniques. In Experiment 1, broilers (n=100) were acquired from two commercial processing facility’s live haul areas on 10 separate days. Feathers where removed from the ventral surface of the wing and 70% alcohol applied onto the surface of the skin, then Betadine applied to the skin area for 1 min before vena-puncture (brachial vein) with a sterile needle and syringe. Five mL of circulating blood was collected and immediately added to 45 mL of Bolton’s broth without added antibiotics. Direct plating onto aerobic plate count agar was performed to verify that the skin had been disinfected. In Experiment 2, broilers (n=75) were acquired as previously on 3 separate days and the above procedures performed. In addition, the broilers were given 20 mg of ketamine and the skin was reflected exposing the brachial vein, enabling blood collection by inserting a needle directly into the exposed blood vessel. In Experiment 1, Campylobacter spp. were recovered from 11% of the blood and 28% of the ceca sampled (n=100). From aerobic plate counts performed, no growth was observed suggesting that the method utilized results in aseptic sampling of the circulating blood. In Experiment 2, Campylobacter spp. were recovered from 5% of the blood and 33% of the ceca sampled (n=75). Campylobacter spp. were recovered from the blood only from broilers that had positive ceca. Campylobacter spp. being recovered from the circulating blood provides insight to a possible means by which this organism rapidly disseminate to tissues and suggests that Campylobacter spp. are not strictly limited to the lumens of the digestive and reproductive tracts.