Evidence for horizontal and vertical transmission in Campylobacter passage from hen to her progeny

Authors: Cox Jr, Nelson; RICHARDSON, L - Former ARS Employee; MAURER, J - University Of Georgia; Berrang, Mark; Cray, Paula; Buhr, Richard - Jeff; Byrd Ii, James - Allen; LEE, M - University Of Georgia; HOFACRE, C - University Of Georgia; O'KANE, P - University Of Georgia; LAMMERDING, A - Public Health Agency Of Canada; CLARK, A - University Of Toronto; THAYER, S - University Of Georgia; DOYLE, M - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2012
Publication Date: 10/1/2012
Citation: Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L.J., Maurer, J.J., Berrang, M.E., Cray, P.J., Buhr, R.J., Byrd Ii, J.A., Lee, M.D., Hofacre, C.L., O'Kane, P.M., Lammerding, A.M., Clark, A.G., Thayer, S.G., Doyle, M.P. 2012. Evidence for horizontal and vertical transmission in Campylobacter passage from hen to her progeny. Journal of Food Protection. 75(10):1896-1902.

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacter is an important human pathogen and consumption of undercooked poultry and cross-contamination from raw product has been linked to significant human illnesses. To reduce human illness, intervention strategies targeting Campylobacter reduction in poultry are being developed. Researchers are leveraging Campylobacter ecology data to drive these strategies. However, one source of Campylobacter transmission that is often overlooked in these ecology studies is vertical transmission from parent to progeny. A significant number of scientists have steadfastly refused to accept anything but environmental sources as a possibility. This approach can lead to ineffective Campylobacter intervention strategies within poultry. In this article, findings from a plethora of research studies evaluating general as well as Campylobacter vertical transmission in poultry is discussed. The article conclusively proves vertical transmission is a significant source of flock contamination. The information should be utilized by researchers to develop innovative intervention strategies that address both the environmental and parent-to-progeny routes of Campylobacter flock contamination. The opportunity is to use this approach to achieve effective reductions in flock contamination which should limit human illnesses related to undercooked poultry consumption or cross-contamination of raw poultry to other foods.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter is an important human pathogen and consumption of undercooked poultry and cross-contamination from raw product has been linked to significant human illnesses. To reduce human illness, intervention strategies targeting Campylobacter reduction in poultry are being developed. Researchers are leveraging Campylobacter ecology data to drive these strategies. For more than a decade there has been an ongoing national and international controversy about whether or not Campylobacter can possibly pass from one generation of poultry to the next via the fertile egg. It is recognized that there are numerous sources of Campylobacter entry into flocks of commercial poultry (including egg transmission) but a significant number of scientists have steadfastly refused to accept anything but post-hatchery environment as the source. This approach can lead to ineffective Campylobacter intervention strategies within poultry. There has been an abundance of published research in many countries of the world that refutes their contention. In this article, findings from a plethora of research studies evaluating general as well as Campylobacter vertical transmission in poultry is discussed. The article is intended to demonstrate that vertical transmission should be considered a significant source of flock Campylobacter contamination. The information should be leveraged by researchers to develop innovative intervention strategies that address both environmental and parent-to-progeny routes of Campylobacter flock contamination. The opportunity is to use this approach to drive effective reductions in flock contamination. Improvements in cultural and molecular laboratory methods will continue to advance our knowledge of Campylobacter ecology and as researchers embrace both Campylobacter routes of entry into flocks will lead to better strategies aimed at reducing/eliminating Campylobacter within poultry flocks.