Relation between broiler and humanCampylobacter jejunistrains isolated in Belgium from 2011 to 2013

The anti-campylobacter activity of eugenol and its potential for poultry meat safety: A review

Poultry is one of the fastest growing industries due to advantages in land use, rapid production and advances in feed technology. The rising trend in the consumption of poultry meat over the last 50 years has also increased concerns about food safety. Campylobacter jejuniis the leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis, the foremost cause of foodborne deaths. Despite significant progress in food safety methology, the genusCampylobacter remains a common foodborne pathogen in poultry. Increasing consumer demands for natural products require the discovery of new antimicrobials to ensure the safety of poultry meat. Recent studies have revealed that eugenol acts with antimicrobial activity on a wide variety of foodborne microorganisms. Eugenol is generally recognized as safe and is a promising preservative for the food industry. However, specific applications of eugenol need to be identified and validated to clarify the role of the food preservative in poultry meat safety.

Isolation, host specificity and genetic characterization of Campylobacter specific bacteriophages from poultry and swine sources

The isolation and characterization of 304 Campylobacter specific bacteriophage isolates from broiler and swine sources is reported in this study. Genome size characterization determined by PFGE classified these isolates,called CAM1-CAM304, within the campylophages group II (n = 18) and group III (n = 286). Host range analyses showed a high host specificity and similar lytic spectrum among isolates of the same group. Campylophages of group II infected C. jejuni, C. coli and even a C. fetus strain whereas those of group III only infected C. jejuni strains. The most promising 59 campylophage candidates were selected according to their lytic activity and their genetic diversity was analyzed by RFLP using SmiI and HhaI endonucleases for group II and III campylophages, respectively. Moreover, RAPD-PCR technique was for the first time assessed in the genetic characterization of campylophages and it was shown to be effective only for those of group II. Bacteriophage isolates grouped in a same genotype displayed different host ranges, therefore, 13 campylophages of group II and eight of group III were differentiated considering all the approaches assayed. An in-depth analysis of these bacteriophages will be performed to confirm their promising potential for the biocontrol of Campylobacter within the farm to fork process.

Prevalence, molecular typing and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. isolates in northern Spain

AIM

To analyse the prevalence, genetic diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. in northern Spain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Campylobacter was isolated from 139 samples of broiler meat and faecal dropping of broiler and swine with a prevalence of 35·4, 62 and 42·8%, respectively. Campylobacter jejuni (n = 55) and Campylobacter coli (n = 31) were identified by multiplex-PCR in meat, faeces and human clinical samples while Campylobacter fetus (n = 3) was exclusively detected in the latter. Fingerprinting by flaA-RFLP and PFGE revealed 68 different genotypes from the 89 isolates with a Biodiversity Simpson's index of 0·98. The 86·5% of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, 85·4% to tetracycline and 49·4% to erythromycin; only three genotypes were susceptible to the three antimicrobial drugs. Multidrug resistance was detected in the 40·7% of the isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

Campylobacter remains prevalent in northern Spain with a high biodiversity degree. About 93·3% of the isolates were resistant to one or more drugs.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Although different measures are taken to control Campylobacter, the detection of isolates resistant to the drugs used in the treatment of campylobacteriosis is still high, including different species and genotypes. This evidences the need of additional strategies against this pathogen.

A One Health approach to prevention, treatment, and control of campylobacteriosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review recent findings regarding the control and treatment of campylobacteriosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The application of improved diagnostics has led to an upward shift in the attributable burden of Campylobacter infections, in both the United States and Europe as well as in resource-poor settings. Increased focus has brought a fundamental feature of campylobacteriosis -- the ability to cause relapsing disease back into focus, and expanding data on antimicrobial resistance has lead from a switch in first-line therapy for severe diarrhea from quinolones to azithromycin in most contexts, even as evidence of expanding macrolide resistance emerges.

SUMMARY

Campylobacter spp. infection is a common infection worldwide. Antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter spp. has become an emerging threat with the increase in industrial poultry production, as well as the broad use of antibiotics in both animals and humans.

Non-biogroup 1 or 2 Strains of the Emerging Zoonotic Pathogen Escherichia albertii, Their Proposed Assignment to Biogroup 3, and Their Commonly Detected Characteristics

Escherichia albertii, a zoonotic enteropathogen, is responsible for outbreaks of disease in humans. Identifying strains of E. albertii by phenotypic characterization tests is difficult because of its poorly defined properties. Screening its phenotypic characteristics is, nevertheless, a necessary prerequisite for further genetic analysis of its properties, and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis can be used to type the pathogen. While two E. albertii biogroups (1 and 2) have been described, strains with characteristics divergent from both biogroups have been reported worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of non-biogroup 1 or 2 strains, and discern the characteristics common to all of the E. albertii strains from this study. Altogether, 107/414 field isolates were selected for examination based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis. The 107 strains were isolated from 92 sources, including humans and pigeon feces, other wild birds, and retail chicken livers. All strains were then examined using various culture-based, biochemical (API 50CHE tests, API Zym test, and others) and molecular (virulence gene screening, multi-locus sequence analysis) testing methods. Our results revealed that all field strains (n = 107) showed non-biogroup 1 or 2 characteristics, with multiple sequence differences. Variations in indole production and the lysine decarboxylase activity profiles among the isolates made identification of E. albertii very difficult. Therefore, we propose that non-biogroup 1 or 2 of E. albertii should be assigned to biogroup 3 to make screening of them easier in public health and clinical laboratory settings. Clearly, having group criteria for indole-negative/lysine-positive, indole-positive/lysine-negative, and indole-positive/lysine-positive E. albertii biogroups 1, 2, and 3 strains, respectively, should provide for more accurate identification of E. albertii isolates. Based on our findings, we recommend that isolates displaying phenotype mobility-negativity (sulfide-indole-motility medium, 37°C), hydrogen sulfide production-negativity (triple sugar iron medium), acid production-negativity from xylose, negative β-glucuronidase activity properties, and showing indole production and lysine decarboxylase activity profiles in accordance with one of the three biogroups, should be further assessed using an E. albertii-specific PCR assay.

Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated From Broiler Meat in Egypt

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Infection with Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis. Infections are mostly acquired due to consumption of raw or undercooked poultry. The aim of this pilot study is to determine the prevalence and the sequence types (STs) distribution of C. jejuni isolated from broiler meat in Egypt.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 190 broiler meat samples were collected from retail chicken shops located at Mansoura, Egypt and examined bacteriologically for the presence of Campylobacter spp. The biochemically identified Campylobacter isolates were confirmed by Multiplex PCR (m-PCR). In addition, multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) was used for genotyping of C. jejuni isolates.

RESULTS

Thirty two Campylobacter isolates divided into C. coli (25 isolates) and C. jejuni (7 isolates) were recovered. Multiplex PCR results found to be 100% in line with biochemical identification. Out of 7 C. jejuni isolates genotyped by MLST, 4 isolates were assigned to ST21, 2 isolates were assigned to ST48 and one isolate was assigned to ST464.

CONCLUSION

This study provides valuable information concerning the prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and sequence types distribution of C. jejuni recovered from broiler meat for the first time in Egypt. The identified sequence types from this study were frequently reported in human illnesses. Thus, the present results highlight the importance of the retail broiler meat as a significant source for human Campylobacter infection.