Influence of the Gut Microbiota Composition on Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Chickens

Abstract

The Campylobacter jejuni-host interaction may be affected by the host's gut microbiota through competitive exclusion, metabolites, or modification of the immune response. To understand this interaction, C. jejuni colonization and local immune responses were compared in chickens with different gut microbiota compositions. Birds were treated with an antibiotic cocktail (AT) (experiments 1 and 2) or raised under germfree (GF) conditions (experiment 3). At 18 days posthatch (dph), they were orally inoculated either with 104 CFU of C. jejuni or with diluent. Cecal as well as systemic C. jejuni colonization, T- and B-cell numbers in the gut, and gut-associated tissue were compared between the different groups. Significantly higher numbers of CFU of C. jejuni were detected in the cecal contents of AT and GF birds, with higher colonization rates in spleen, liver, and ileum, than in birds with a conventional gut microbiota (P < 0.05). Significant upregulation of T and B lymphocyte numbers was detected in cecum, cecal tonsils, and bursa of Fabricius of AT or GF birds after C. jejuni inoculation compared to the respective controls (P < 0.05). This difference was less clear in birds with a conventional gut microbiota. Histopathological gut lesions were observed only in C. jejuni-inoculated AT and GF birds but not in microbiota-colonized C. jejuni-inoculated hatchmates. These results demonstrate that the gut microbiota may contribute to the control of C. jejuni colonization and prevent lesion development. Further studies are needed to identify key players of the gut microbiota and the mechanisms behind their protective role.

Meta‐analysis of the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in food‐producing animals worldwide

“…(Newell, ). The gastrointestinal environment of the broiler is suitable for the colonization and multiplication of the TC and, consequently, it is a common source of the pathogen along the food chain (Han et al, ). Some virulence and survival determinants such as multidrug resistance, chemotaxis, flagella‐mediated mobility, polysaccharide structures for invasion and adhesion allow colonization of the gastrointestinal tract (Bolton, ; Gao et al, ; Silva et al, ).…”

Infection, colonization and shedding of Campylobacter and Salmonella in animals and their contribution to human disease: A review

“…Gastrointestinal microbes contribute to the breakdown of food components and host nutrient acquisition through a symbiotic association with host and immune system education which enables the host to differentiate between normal flora and harmful bacteria (Callaway, Edrington, & Nisbet, 2014;Hanning & Diaz-Sanchez, 2015). Well-developed normal flora protects the host through creating gastrointestinal resistance environments which prevent external pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the gut (Han et al, 2017;Monack, 2012). The microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract stimulates production, maintenance of normal structure and functioning of the mucosal lining, hence render the animal protection from pathogenic bacteria (Hanning & Diaz-Sanchez, 2015).…”

Field Interventions Against Colonization of Broilers by Campylobacter

“…There is evidence that an absent or altered intestinal microflora permits more intense colonization of the chicken gut (and other tissues) by C. jejuni , at least in the short‐term (Han et al., ). Probiotics have been evaluated in attempts to both exclude and suppress colonization of birds.…”