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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #263847
Title: Comparative media investigation and MLST characterization of Campylobacter spp. recovered from broiler fecal, carcass rinse, and exudate samples

Author
item Hiett, Kelli
item Morales, Cesar
item Line, John
item Oakley, Brian
item Seal, Bruce

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/2011
Publication Date: 5/21/2011
Citation: Seal, B.S., Hiett, K.L., Morales, C., Line, J.E., Oakley, B. 2011. Comparative media investigation and MLST characterization of Campylobacter spp. recovered from broiler fecal, carcass rinse, and exudate samples. Meeting Abstract. Volume: III Page:1340.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are considered a leading bacterial etiology of acute gastroenteritis in human populations. Several investigations focused on delineating Campylobacter spp. epidemiology have been conducted; however a complete understanding of the critical sources for Campylobacter spp. transmission through integrated poultry operations continues to remain elusive. It is believed that a significant contributor to our lack of understanding regarding Campylobacter spp. transmission is the use of several highly selective cultivation media, thus making comparison between different studies problematic. Methods: Two vertically integrated broiler flocks were sampled during production and processing, using 5 media, 2 temperatures, and 2 atmospheres. Additionally, processed birds were placed at 4C whereupon exudate was sampled at day 2. Recovered Campylobacter spp. isolates were subtyped using both flaA SVR and MLST. Results: Analyses demonstrated that cultural recovery of Campylobacter spp., relative to sample type, was similar among 4 media, independent of temperature or atmosphere conditions. Levels of Campylobacter spp. recovered were approximately 10(6) cfu/ml for fecal samples and 10(2) cfu/ml for both rinse and exudate samples. Initial subtype analyses of isolates from 1 flock recovered with these 4 media and from the 3 sample types, revealed a predominant sequence type (ST-939) belonging to the ST-353 clonal complex. The Campycheck recovery method (filtration onto non-selective media) resulted in significantly lower recovery rates, 10(3) cfu/ml for fecal samples, and less than 10(1) for rinse and exudate samples. Conclusions: These results will provide insight into the comparability of investigations using various recovery media. Additionally, comparison with results obtained from 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing investigations will assist in refinement of a more efficacious recovery media for Campylobacter spp.