Biosecurity-Based Interventions and Strategies To Reduce Campylobacter spp. on Poultry Farms

Abstract

The prevention and control of Campylobacter colonization of poultry flocks are important public health strategies for the control of human campylobacteriosis. A critical review of the literature on interventions to control Campylobacter in poultry on farms was undertaken using a systematic approach. Although the focus of the review was on aspects appropriate to the United Kingdom poultry industry, the research reviewed was gathered from worldwide literature. Multiple electronic databases were employed to search the literature, in any language, from 1980 to September 2008. A primary set of 4,316 references was identified and scanned, using specific agreed-upon criteria, to select relevant references related to biosecurity-based interventions. The final library comprised 173 references. Identification of the sources of Campylobacter in poultry flocks was required to inform the development of targeted interventions to disrupt transmission routes. The approach used generally involved risk factor-based surveys related to culture-positive or -negative flocks, usually combined with a structured questionnaire. In addition, some studies, either in combination or independently, undertook intervention trials. Many of these studies were compromised by poor design, sampling, and statistical analysis. The evidence for each potential source and route of transmission on the poultry farm was reviewed critically, and the options for intervention were considered. The review concluded that, in most instances, biosecurity on conventional broiler farms can be enhanced and this should contribute to the reduction of flock colonization. However, complementary, non-biosecurity-based approaches will also be required in the future to maximize the reduction of Campylobacter-positive flocks at the farm level.

Effect of enhanced biosecurity and selected on-farm factors onCampylobactercolonization of chicken broilers

“…That practice is at least in part responsible for the attenuation of the protective effect of 285 biosecurity by the time of depopulation, as the role of thinning as a risk factor for infection has been 286 well established [15,18] and is also identified in this study: flocks that had been partially depopulated…”

“…However, there is limited 46 empirical evidence that supports this hypothesis. As shown by an extensive literature review on the 47 subject [15], study results are often questionable due to differences in implementation and poor study 48 design and analysis. Besides the enhancement of biosecurity, several 'on farm' strategies have been…”

Global Epidemiology of Campylobacter Infection

“…These strategies target a number of key areas, including reducing environmental exposure, reducing or removing Campylobacter from colonized chickens, and increasing the resistance of chickens to Campylobacter carriage. Based on an appraisal of all the literature published between 1980 and September 2008, Newell and colleagues have written an excellent review on Campylobacter and biosecurity on poultry farms, which outlines the different routes of transmission that occur on poultry farms and the degrees of success of strategies undertaken to prevent transmission of Campylobacter (402). We further highlight below the various methodologies that have been used to control Campylobacter transmission.…”

Studies on avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in commercial broiler chicken in South East Queensland

“…They are a potential risk, especially if they move from one farm to another using their own vehicles, equipment, boots and clothing (Newell et al, 2011). In this study, 80% of the 40-surveyed farms reported that their farm visitors (n = 30) did not wear protective overalls before entering the shed and 17.5% of farms (n = 7) did not have a shower facility on the premises.…”

“…Rather , the same pair of overalls and gumboots were utilised across sheds on the same farm. This can facilitate the spread of E. coli as well as other infectious agents from one shed to another or introduce agents to the shed from the surrounding environment (Newell et al, 2011). This policy should be reevaluated in order to minimise the incidence and spread of infectious agents.…”