Association of Campylobacter from bile with cecal counts, gall bladder size, and bile color.

Authors: MCCONNELL, ABIGAIL - Auburn University; JENNINGS, MADALYN - Auburn University; HUGHES, MATTHEW - Auburn University; FIGUEROA, JUAN - Auburn University; REINA, MARCO - Auburn University; Buhr, Richard - Jeff; BOURASSA, DIANNA - Auburn University

Submitted to: Poultry Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2023
Publication Date: 7/10/2023
Citation: Mcconnell, A., Jennings, M., Hughes, M., Figueroa, J., Reina, M.A., Buhr, R.J., Bourassa, D.V. 2023. Association of Campylobacter from bile with cecal counts, gall bladder size, and bile color.. Poultry Science Meeting. 102(E-Suppl.1):150, p.74.

Interpretive Summary: no summary-BS

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter is one of the top foodborne pathogens associated with poultry products. When birds are withdrawn from feed, research has shown that the gall bladder increases in size with the length of time the birds are off feed. This poses a risk for rupture during processing, and it has been suggested that leakage of bile may contribute to Campylobacter contamination. However, information on the potential contamination of Campylobacter from bile is lacking. This study sought to determine if Campylobacter can be isolated from bile in the gall bladder of broilers and if the level of Campylobacter present in ceca, the size of the gall bladder, or color of the bile is indicative of Campylobacter positive bile samples. Gall bladders and the corresponding paired ceca were collected from the evisceration line of commercial processing plant on three different days (feed withdrawn and from different flocks). For each of 3 repetitions, n=10 gall bladder/ceca pairs were collected for a total of 30 gall bladder and 30 ceca samples. Bile was extracted using a sterile needle and syringe and the cecal contents were extracted using manual expression. One gram of the ceca contents from each sample was added to 9 mL of phosphate buffered saline, vortexed, and diluted. Bile and cecal contents were plated for enumeration on Campy Cefex agar and allowed to incubate for 48 hours at 42oC in a microaerobic atmosphere. Bile samples were enriched with one part bile and one part 3M Campylobacter enrichment broth and then incubated. After incubation, the samples were confirmed positive or negative using the 3M Molecular Detection Assay. The relationship between ceca Campylobacter counts and positive bile samples were analyzed using Student’s t-test and gall bladder size (mm2) were analyzed with the ANOVA procedure of SAS. Statistical significance was considered at P = 0.05. There was no significant association between positive bile samples and cecal Campylobacter counts (P=0.3532) or between the size of the gall bladder and positive bile samples (P=0.3598). Through visual observation it appeared that there was a color difference between the positive and negative bile samples, most discernible after 48 hours of incubation in 3M Campylobacter enrichment broth with positive samples having a more yellow appearance. These data indicate that the likelihood of bile being positive for Campylobacter may not be related to levels of Campylobacter in the ceca or size of the gall bladder, however bile color may be indicative of the presence of Campylobacter, particularly following enrichment. The suggestion that leakage of bile has a significant impact on carcass Campylobacter contamination does not appear to be valid.