Detection, characterization, and persistence of Campylobacter hepaticus, the cause of spotty liver disease in layer hens

Descriptive epidemiology of spotty liver disease in Australian cage-free brown egg layer chicken flocks with a scratch area

“…The ELISA can detect both current and past infections while the PCR can only detect DNA during current infections. However, it has been observed that C. hepaticus infected birds can remain asymptomatic carriers for long periods after infection ( Courtice et al, 2023 ). Hence on a flock level we would expect that cloacal swab PCR test to continue to detect the organism for many weeks following an outbreak and this should align with serological evidence of earlier infection.…”

“…The route of spread of infection of SLD is regarded as fecal-oral ( Van et al, 2017a ; Phung et al, 2020 ; Phung et al, 2022 ; Gao et al, 2023a ; Becarra et al, 2023 ) and this feature would explain the disappearance of the syndrome in cage systems. Courtice et al (2023) reported the ability to find C. hepaticus DNA in diverse and plentiful sources in the farm environment, including hen feces, water and soil, and it was also detectable in flies, vermin, mites ( Dermanyssus gallinae ), beetles ( Alphatobius diaperinus ) and in the feces of wild birds and mammals. While a definitive source of infection for the hen is unknown, there are ample possible reservoirs of the organism in the environment.…”