Cattle and sheep farms as reservoirs of Campylobacter

This is a review of the natural Campylobacter colonization and transmission among ruminant livestock in the dairy farm environment.

Using cultural detection methods and enumeration techniques the distribution of Campylobacter in ruminant animals at birth, on the farm, at slaughter and in the farm environment have been examined. Colonization and shedding rates are higher among young animals while patterns of shedding in adult animals may be seasonal. Stored and land-dispersed slurries provide a reservoir for scavenging birds and flies and a source for runoff.

The dairy farm plays a significant role in the dissemination of Campylobacter subtypes that can cause disease in the human community.

An understanding of the role of the dairy farm in the environmental cycle of Campylobacter is required in order to devise intervention strategies.