Campylobacter detection in commercial turkeys.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Poultry Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Campylobacter is a significant pathogen in poultry, impacting turkey flock health and food safety.
• Understanding the dynamics of Campylobacter colonisation is crucial for developing effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor the frequency of Campylobacter detection in turkey flocks.
• To evaluate the influence of production week, gender, and litter type on Campylobacter prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Sampling of gastrointestinal tracts, poult box liners, drinkers, and faecal droppings from three turkey flocks.
• Isolation and identification of Campylobacter using conventional microbiological procedures.
• Confirmation of Campylobacter presence via latex agglutination tests.

Main Results:

• Peak Campylobacter colonisation in turkeys was observed around 3 weeks of production.
• Campylobacter detection frequency in birds correlated with detection in water sources.
• Significantly lower Campylobacter detection rates were found in birds raised on used litter (2%) compared to fresh litter (58%).
• Bird gender did not influence the frequency of Campylobacter detection.

Conclusions:

• Managing litter by using used litter can substantially reduce Campylobacter colonisation in turkeys.
• Interventions aimed at minimizing peak colonisation around 3 weeks of age are important for controlling Campylobacter in turkey production.
• Litter management presents a viable strategy for reducing Campylobacter occurrence in commercial turkey flocks.