New Campylobacter research in broiler flocks

Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently reported zoonotic illness in the European Union and poultry meat is the major single source of human infection. European broiler flocks have a high prevalence of Campylobacter colonization, averaging over 71%, and, according to an international European research consortium, "there is still no effective, reliable and practical strategy available to prevent or to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers."

This European research consortium represents a half dozen national research institutes and a number of other laboratories that are focusing initially on a two-step strategy of controlling Campylobacter infection in broiler flocks through nutrition and vaccination. The nutrition step includes research on a variety of commercially available feed additives, including plant extracts, organic acids, prebiotics, and probiotics.

The CAMPYBRO project coordinator is Dr. Pedro Medel of IMASDE AGROALIMENTARIA, S.L., based in Madrid, Spain, who also is one of the authors of the project's first article in Poultry Science – "Efficacy of feed additives against Campylobacter in live broilers during the entire rearing period."

The abstract notes: "This study gives promising results regarding the use of feed additives to reduce Campylobacter infection in flocks." If you're attending the International Production and Processing Expo, January 26-28 in Atlanta, visit the Diamond V Booth A429 to learn more about this study and other research in poultry pre-harvest food safety.