Abstract

Aims: To investigate (i) possible correlations between the presence of Campylobacter spp. in the surroundings of broiler farms and their incidence in flocks, and (ii) possible associations between weather conditions and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. Methods and Results: Farms were selected according to previous results from the Swedish Campylobacter programme. Samples were collected in and around broiler houses during the rearing period from 131 flocks on 31 farms, including sock samples from the ground outside, from the floor in the broiler houses and anterooms, and samples from insects, water, feed and ventilation shafts. Conclusions: As expected, there was a difference in Campylobacter isolation rates for different categories of farms regarding samples taken in the houses. However, there were no differences regarding the presence of Campylobacter spp. in the environment between producers that often deliver Campylobacter-positive slaughter batches and those that rarely deliver positive batches. Campylobacter spp. were more frequently found in the surroundings on rainy days when compared with sunny days. Significance and Impact of the Study: Physical barriers between outside and inside the houses appeared to be important for preventing Campylobacter spp. in the environment to be transferred into the broiler houses

Keywords

FETUS SUBSP JEJUNI; RISK-FACTORS; COMMERCIAL POULTRY; MUSCA-DOMESTICA; CHICKENS; COLONIZATION; TRANSMISSION; INFECTION; TRANSPORT; FLIES

Published in

Journal of Applied Microbiology
2007, Volume: 103, number: 3, pages: 640-649
Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING

SLU Authors

• Vågsholm, Ivar

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2007.03291.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/17996