A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis study of the genetic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in poultry flocks in Slovenia

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli have recently become the most frequent cause of bacterial foodborne enteric infection in most industrialised countries. Consumption and handling of undercooked contaminated poultry meat was identified as an important risk factor for human campylobacteriosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain the genetic diversity of C. jejuni and C. coli strains isolated from poultry in Slovenia. A total of 68 isolates (42 C. jejuni , 26 C. coli ) from faeces (n = 48), meat (n = 15) and skin/carcasses (n = 5) of chicken (n = 60) and turkey samples (n = 5) were analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Sma I macrorestriction discriminated between C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. C. jejuni isolates exhibited a higher degree of diversity compared to C. coli isolates. In the C. jejuni group, a number of small clusters were apparent, while C. coli strains formed less but larger clusters. Additional Kpn I digestion of selected isolates resulted in poor subtyping. Strains with identical or very similar profiles were found on different farms, either in the same or different regions and time periods. Some of the clones indicated possible cross-contamination at slaughterhouses.

Genetic diversity, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes of thermophilic Campylobacter isolated from broiler production chain

“…The results obtained through the analysis of the genetic diversity of C. jejuni indicate that the contamination of the broiler carcasses may occur during all slaughter operations, and that it is dependent on the previous colonization of the intestines of broiler. A similar observation was made by Gruntar et al [55]. This shows that the control of this microorganism will require interventions both in slaughterhouses and on broiler farms, for example, through the implementation of biosecurity programs.…”

“…The molecular typing of the isolates from farm C by PFGE showed that all of them (28) shared the same SmaImacrorestriction pattern. Even when the digestion with KpnI endonuclease was performed, different patterns were not obtained among the isolates, a finding which was also reported in other studies [55,56]. A clonal profile among C. jejuni isolates from the same flock was also previously described [55].…”

“…Even when the digestion with KpnI endonuclease was performed, different patterns were not obtained among the isolates, a finding which was also reported in other studies [55,56]. A clonal profile among C. jejuni isolates from the same flock was also previously described [55]. According to Workman et al [57], this clonal relationship among the C. jejuni isolates may indicate a common contamination origin in positive broiler farms.…”

Influence of oral application of Enterococcus faecium AL41 on TGF-β4 and IL-17 expression and immunocompetent cell distribution in chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuni

“…blooded animals (Gruntar et al, 2010). Worldwide, the broiler caecum has been demonstrated to be colonised to a high degree by Campylobacter species like C. jejuni (EFSA, 2016).…”