Campylobacters in wading birds (Charadrii): incidence, biotypes and isolation techniques

311 birds from four species of the charadrii group were examined for the carriage of Campylobacter spp. Cloacal swabs or "washouts" were taken from birds captured by cannon netting and cultured using enrichment in Preston broth followed by plating onto Preston agar. Incubation of enrichment cultures for 48 h and of solid media for a minimum of 48 h is recommended for culture of avian faecal material. Of the birds examined, 222 were found to be carrying Campylobacter spp., 145 strains of which belonged to the C. jejuni/C. coli group. Of the four species examined, Oystercatcher were significantly more frequently associated with the carriage of C. jejuni biotype 1 than were the other three species (P less than 0.05). The high carriage rate of Campylobacter spp. coupled with the behaviour of this group of birds may have implications for human health.