Reducing the Carriage of Foodborne Pathogens in Livestock and Poultry

Abstract

Several foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella species and campylobacters, are common contaminants in poultry and livestock. Typically, these pathogens are carried in the animal's intestinal tract asymptomatically; however, they can be shed in feces in large populations and be transmitted by other vectors from feces to animals, produce, or humans. A wide array of interventions has been developed to reduce the carriage of foodborne pathogens in poultry and livestock, including genetic selection of animals resistant to colonization, treatments to prevent vertical transmission of enteric pathogens, sanitation practices to prevent contamination on the farm and during transportation, elimination of pathogens from feed and water, feed and water additives that create an adverse environment for colonization by the pathogen, and biological treatments that directly or indirectly inactivate the pathogen within the host. To successfully reduce the carriage of foodborne pathogens, it is likely that a combination of intervention strategies will be required.

Prebiotic and Probiotic Approaches to Improving Food Safety on the Farm and Their Implications on Human Health

“…Campylobacter is a major concern for infection in poultry production [16][17][18]. One route of contamination, also common to most other pathogens, is through livestock water sources [19]. In an area of intense livestock (dairy) production in England, Campylobacter jejuni was found in 14.3% of water sources sampled (predominantly in running water or troughs), Campylobacter coli was found in 18.5% (predominantly in stagnant water), and Campylobacter lari was identified in 4.2% [20].…”

Bioengineered probiotics, a strategic approach to control enteric infections

“…The goal of this approach is to fill all the niches available in the gut so as to exclude the establishment of pathogenic microbes. 18,19 Due to increased concern about the emergence of antibiotic resistance, use of probiotics provides an effective alternative to combat foodborne illnesses. 20 Beneficial attributes of probiotics are broad and well documented ( Table 2).…”

Phages as Therapeutic Tools to Control Major Foodborne Pathogens: Campylobacter and Salmonella

“…Campylobacter and Salmonella are common inhabitant of the gut of warm-blooded animals mainly livestock (such as cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens), domestic pets and wild animals, where they asymptomatically colonize and multiply (Antunes et al, 2003;Bell & Kyriakides, 2002;Bryan & Doyle, 1995;Doyle & Erickson, 2006;Newell & Fearnley, 2003). As zoonotic agents, Campylobacter and Salmonella can be transferred between humans and other animals.…”