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Research article2010Peer reviewed

Risk factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter-positive broiler flocks in Sweden

Hansson, Ingrid; Olsson, Engvall Eva; Vågsholm, Ivar; Nyman, Ann

Abstract

Approximately 40% of Swedish broiler producers deliver Campylobacter-negative broilers in 90-100% of their flocks, showing that it is possible to produce Campylobacter-free broilers in Sweden. This study investigated risk factors associated with the presence of Campylobacter-positive flocks at Swedish broiler producers. A total of 37 producers, with 90 broiler houses including 144 compartments, participated in the study. An on-farm interview was performed to collect information on potential risk factors for Campylobacter infection in broilers, with questions about farmcharacteristics such as the environment around the farm and broiler houses, design of the broiler houses and on-farm management practices. Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the statistical significance of risk factors associated with the within-farm number of Campylobacter-positive flocks (the outcome).Campylobacter is transmitted in broiler flocks due to multiple factors and several potential sources, illustrating the complexity of Campylobacter epidemiology in broilers. Factors significantly associated with increased proportion of Campylobacter-positive flocks were the presence of other livestock on the farm, or the presence of cattle, swine, poultry or fur animals within 1 km of the farm. Poor or average general tidiness were associated with increased proportion of Campylobacter-positive flocks, but decreased if split slaughter was seldom or never applied or if farm workers changed footwear twice or three times instead of once before entering the broiler house. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Campylobacter spp.; Risk factors; Pre-harvest; Broilers; Sweden

Published in

Preventive Veterinary Medicine
2010, Volume: 96, number: 1-2, pages: 114-121
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

      SLU Authors

      • UKÄ Subject classification

      Veterinary Science
      Food Science
      Animal and Dairy Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.05.007

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60474