Effect of Litter Treatment on Campylobacter jejuni in Broilers and on Cecal Microbiota

Abstract

Since 2018, when a process hygiene criterion for Campylobacter in broilers at the slaughterhouse was implemented across Europe, efforts to reduce Campylobacter at farm level have increased. Despite numerous studies aiming to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers, no efficient control strategy has been identified so far. The present work assessed first the efficacy of a commercial litter treatment to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers during two in-vivo trials and second, its impact on cecal microbiota. The treatment does not affect broiler growth and no effect on Campylobacter counts was observed during the in-vivo trials. Nevertheless, cecal microbiota were affected by the treatment. Alpha and beta diversity were significantly different for the control and litter-treated groups on day 35. In addition, several taxa were identified as significantly associated with the different experimental groups. Further work is needed to find a suitable control measure combining different strategies in order to reduce Campylobacter.

Evaluation of Two Recombinant Protein-Based Vaccine Regimens against Campylobacter jejuni: Impact on Protection, Humoral Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota in Broilers

“…Intramuscular vaccinations (0.3 mL) in the thigh were performed on day 5 (D5) and D12 for the YP437 I2, P I2, YP437 I4 and P I4 groups and additionally on D19 and D28 for the YP437 I4 and P I4 groups using 26 G needles. All the chickens were challenged orally with 10 4 CFU of C. jejuni on D19 [31,37]. On D19, 5 birds per group were euthanised (electronarcosis followed by bleeding) and on D42, 14 or 15 birds per group were similarly euthanised.…”

Impact of DNA Prime/Protein Boost Vaccination against Campylobacter jejuni on Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota in Chickens

“…DNA prime and protein boost vaccinations were performed on days 5 and 12 respectively using 26 G needles for intramuscular injections. On D19, all the chickens were orally challenged with 10 5 CFU of C. jejuni C97Anses640 isolated at the ANSES laboratory in Ploufragan from a poultry product, and already used in previous trials [9,29]. On D19, D22, D27, D34 and D39, blood samples were taken from the occipital sinus.…”