Relationship between Presence of Anti-Campylobacter FliD Protein Antibodies and Campylobacter jejuni Isolation from Broiler Chickens

Authors: Yeh, Hung-Yueh; Buhr, Richard - Jeff

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Campylobacre jejuni is the leading foodborne pathogen that causes human acute bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Poultry products are regarded as a major source of this bacterium for human infection. This microorganism is commonly found in chicken gut and rarely causes diseases in chickens, but it can trigger immune responses in chickens. Our previous studies found prevalence of anti-Campylobacter FliD antibodies in older chickens from poultry farms. We did not determine whether Campylobacter jejuni could be isolated from the antibody-positive chickens. In this study, we used chickens that were raised in an environmentally controlled house according to standard brooding and growing guidelines. At seven weeks of age, both blood for immunoblot assay and cecal content for direct bacterial plating were collected from chickens. All bacterial cultures were negative for Campylobacter jejuni. However, sera from 22 out of 34 chickens reacted to the Campylobacter jejuni FliD protein.

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter jejuni, a Gram-negative rod, is a zoonotic pathogen associated with human acute bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Poultry products are regarded as a major source of this bacterium for human infection. Although this bacterium is a commensal in chicken cecal microbiome, Campylobacter jejuni triggers host immune responses. Our previous studies found seroprevalence of anti-Campylobacter FliD antibodies in older chickens from poultry farms. However, whether Campylobacter jejuni could be isolated from the antibody-positive chickens was not determined. In this communication, we used chickens that were raised in an environmentally controlled house according to standard brooding and growing guidelines. At seven weeks of age, both blood for immunoblot assay and cecal content for direct bacterial plating were collected from chickens. All bacterial cultures were negative for Campylobacter jejuni. However, sera from 22 out of 34 chickens reacted to the Campylobacter jejuni FliD protein. The findings in this study a rational for further evaluation of the role of antibodies in excretion of Campylobacter jejuni.