Caecal Microbiota of Experimentally Campylobacter jejuni-Infected Chickens at Different Ages

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of foodborne zoonosis in the European Union. Infections are often linked to the consumption and handling of poultry meat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the caecal microbiota of birds infected with C. jejuni at different ages. Therefore, a total of 180 birds of the laying hybrid Lohmann Brown-Classic were housed in 12 subgroups of 15 animals each in three performed repetitions. Three birds per subgroup were experimentally infected with C. jejuni at an age of about 21 days and about 78 days (4.46 ± 0.35 log10 CFU/bird). Twenty-one days after experimental infection, microbiome studies were performed on 72 caecal samples of dissected birds (three primary infected and three further birds/subgroup). Amplification within the hypervariable region V 4 of the 16S rRNA gene was performed and sequenced with the Illumina MiSeq platform. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS® Enterprise Guide® (version 7.1) and R (version 3.5.2). Both factors, the experimental replication (p < 0.001) and the chickens’ age at infection (p < 0.001) contributed significantly to the differences in microbial composition of the caecal samples. The factor experimental replication explained 24% of the sample’s variability, whereas the factor age at infection explained 14% thereof. Twelve of 32 families showed a significantly different count profile between the two age groups, whereby strongest differences were seen for seven families, among them the family Campylobacteraceae (adjusted p = 0.003). The strongest difference between age groups was seen for a bacterial species that is assigned to the genus Turicibacter which in turn belongs to the family Erysipelotrichaceae (adjusted p < 0.0001). Correlation analyses revealed a common relationship in both chicken ages at infection between the absolute abundance of Campylobacteraceae and Alcaligenaceae, which consists of the genus Parasutterella. In general, concentrations of particular volatile fatty acids (VFA) demonstrated a negative correlation to absolute abundance of Campylobacteraceae, whereby the strongest link was seen for n-butyrate (−0.51141; p < 0.0001). Despite performing consecutive repetitions, the factor experimental replication contributed more to the differences of microbial composition in comparison to the factor age at infection.

Faecal Microbiota of Dogs Offered a Vegetarian Diet with or without the Supplementation of Feather Meal and either Cornmeal, Rye or Fermented Rye: A Preliminary Study

“…Until simultaneous analysis, the obtained faecal samples were stored at −80 °C. Afterwards, 16S rRNA gene analyses were done as already described in Hankel et al [ 30 ]. A mixer mill (Retsch MM 400, Haan, Germany) was used to homogenize the chyme before the DNA was extracted based on the DNeasy Blood&Tissue Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) on an automated liquid handler (Microlab Star, Hamilton Germany GmbH, Gräfelfing, Germany).…”

Intestinal Microbiota of Fattening Pigs Offered Non-Fermented and Fermented Liquid Feed with and without the Supplementation of Non-Fermented Coarse Cereals

“…During the early developmental stages of life, the microbiota is highly sensitive to exogenous perturbations that gains an overall compositional stability with increasing age, which is why newly introduced bacteria barely gain access to the niches in the intestinal tract and fail to become a permanent member of the ecosystem [10]. For example, the findings of Hankel et al [11] lead to the assumption that a higher age at infection is one of the greatest influencing factors on the load of the enteric zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter jejuni within the chicken's intestinal microbiota.…”

Comparison of Chicken Cecal Microbiota after Metaphylactic Treatment or Following Administration of Feed Additives in a Broiler Farm with Enterococcal Spondylitis History

“…For this reason, an accelerated development of chicken gut microbiota can be considered beneficial with regard to resistance to several intestinal pathogens or the outcome of infectious diseases. This could be shown already for Salmonella Enteritidis [ 38 ] and Campylobacter jejuni [ 23 , 39 ]. The treatment with lincospectin in the present study seemed to retard this microbiota development.…”

“…Microbiota analyses were performed as already described by Hankel et al [ 23 ]. Samples were purified (Kit: BS 365, BioBasic Inc., Markham, ON, Canada) before the hypervariable region V4 of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified in accordance with previously described protocols [ 56 ] using primer F515/R806.…”

“…Their mechanism of action against the disease must involve other host-mediated activities as there was no direct microbial inhibition of Clostridium perfringens [ 16 ]. Butyric acid is an important energy source for gut epithelial cells and stimulates epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], it has well documented anti-inflammatory effects [ 20 ], promotes concentration-dependent intestinal barrier function [ 21 , 22 ] and demonstrates beneficial effects against intestinal bacteria with zoonotic relevance in poultry production [ 23 , 24 ]. Some commercially available probiotic Bacillus strains, including Bacillus ( B. )…”