Pathogens

Research

17 pages, 1732 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Alleviates Intestinal, Extra-Intestinal and Systemic Inflammatory Responses during Acute Campylobacter jejuni-induced Enterocolitis in Mice

by Markus M. Heimesaat, Soraya Mousavi, Sigri Kløve, Claudia Genger, Dennis Weschka, Andrea Tamas, Dora Reglodi and Stefan Bereswill

Pathogens 2020, 9(10), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9100805 - 30 Sep 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1987

Abstract

Human Campylobacter jejuni infections are emerging, and constitute a significant health burden worldwide. The ubiquitously expressed pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is well-known for its cell-protective and immunomodulatory effects. In our actual intervention study, we used an acute campylobacteriosis model and assessed the [...] Read more.

Human Campylobacter jejuni infections are emerging, and constitute a significant health burden worldwide. The ubiquitously expressed pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is well-known for its cell-protective and immunomodulatory effects. In our actual intervention study, we used an acute campylobacteriosis model and assessed the potential disease-alleviating effects of exogenous PACAP. Therefore, secondary abiotic IL-10^−/− mice were perorally infected with C. jejuni and treated with synthetic PACAP38 intraperitoneally from day 2 until day 5 post-infection. Whereas PACAP did not interfere with the gastrointestinal colonization of the pathogen, mice from the PACAP group exhibited less severe clinical signs of C. jejuni-induced disease, as compared to mock controls, which were paralleled by alleviated apoptotic, but enhanced cell proliferative responses in colonic epithelia on day 6 post-infection. Furthermore, PACAP dampened the accumulation of macrophages and monocytes, but enhanced regulatory T cell responses in the colon, which were accompanied by less IFN-γ secretion in intestinal compartments in PACAP versus mock-treated mice. Remarkably, the inflammation-dampening properties of PACAP could also be observed in extra-intestinal organs, and strikingly, even the systemic circulation on day 6 post-infection. For the first time, we provide evidence that synthetic PACAP might be a promising candidate to combat acute campylobacteriosis and post-infectious sequelae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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18 pages, 2652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Host-Specific Intestinal Microbiota Composition Impacts Campylobacter coli Infection in a Clinical Mouse Model of Campylobacteriosis

by Markus M. Heimesaat, Claudia Genger, Sigri Kløve, Dennis Weschka, Soraya Mousavi and Stefan Bereswill

Pathogens 2020, 9(10), 804; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9100804 - 29 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1853

Abstract

Human Campylobacter-infections are progressively rising globally. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying C. coli–host interactions are incompletely understood. In this study, we surveyed the impact of the host-specific intestinal microbiota composition during peroral C. coli infection applying an established murine campylobacteriosis model. [...] Read more.

Human Campylobacter-infections are progressively rising globally. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying C. coli–host interactions are incompletely understood. In this study, we surveyed the impact of the host-specific intestinal microbiota composition during peroral C. coli infection applying an established murine campylobacteriosis model. Therefore, microbiota-depleted IL-10^−/− mice were subjected to peroral fecal microbiota transplantation from murine versus human donors and infected with C. coli one week later by gavage. Irrespective of the microbiota, C. coli stably colonized the murine gastrointestinal tract until day 21 post-infection. Throughout the survey, C. coli-infected mice with a human intestinal microbiota displayed more frequently fecal blood as their murine counterparts. Intestinal inflammatory sequelae of C. coli-infection could exclusively be observed in mice with a human intestinal microbiota, as indicated by increased colonic numbers of apoptotic epithelial cells and innate as well as adaptive immune cell subsets, which were accompanied by more pronounced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in the colon and mesenteric lymph nodes versus mock controls. However, in extra-intestinal, including systemic compartments, pro-inflammatory responses upon pathogen challenge could be assessed in mice with either microbiota. In conclusion, the host-specific intestinal microbiota composition has a profound effect on intestinal and systemic pro-inflammatory immune responses during C. coli infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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11 pages, 489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Campylobacter Colonization of Broiler Herds Ante Mortem and Monitoring Campylobacter Contamination Post Mortem by qPCR

by Gudrun Overesch, Katrin Haas and Peter Kuhnert

Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090742 - 10 Sep 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2040

Abstract

Human campylobacteriosis is the most prevalent zoonosis, with chicken meat contributing substantially to the number of cases. Measures to avoid or at least reduce exposure by meat contaminated with Campylobacter (C.) spp. are needed. With regard to the process hygiene criterion [...] Read more.

Human campylobacteriosis is the most prevalent zoonosis, with chicken meat contributing substantially to the number of cases. Measures to avoid or at least reduce exposure by meat contaminated with Campylobacter (C.) spp. are needed. With regard to the process hygiene criterion introduced in 2018 for Campylobacter spp. on broiler carcasses, we evaluated the performance of a recently developed quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for C. jejuni/coli on random caecal samples and chicken meat. With the qPCR on pooled caecal samples not only C. jejuni/coli positive (69.6%) versus negative broiler herds (30.4%) were identified, but herds highly colonized with C. jejuni/coli (39.4%) could also be identified. From the chicken meat samples, 8.0% were positive for C. jejuni/coli by qPCR and 0.7% by enumeration (>10 cfu/g) compared to 58.3% using cultural enrichment. Given the higher sensitivity, the qPCR method could replace the currently used enumeration method to assess the process hygiene criterion for Campylobacter spp. on broiler carcasses. Moreover, with the qPCR, a reliable identification of C. jejuni/coli colonized incoming broiler herds a few days before slaughter is feasible, which provides important information to optimize slaughter processes. Finally, identifying and monitoring herds with high C. jejuni/coli colonization rates could help to individually improve biosecurity measures at farm level, eventually reducing the C. jejuni/coli load on chicken meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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15 pages, 2730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Pathogenic Potential of Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus and Limitations of Using Larvae of Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model

by Krunoslav Bojanić, Els Acke, Wendi D. Roe, Jonathan C. Marshall, Angela J. Cornelius, Patrick J. Biggs and Anne C. Midwinter

Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090713 - 29 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3674

Abstract

Campylobacter enteritis in humans is primarily associated with C. jejuni/coli infection. Other species cause campylobacteriosis relatively infrequently; while this could be attributed to bias in diagnostic methods, the pathogenicity of non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter spp. such as C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus (isolated from [...] Read more.

Campylobacter enteritis in humans is primarily associated with C. jejuni/coli infection. Other species cause campylobacteriosis relatively infrequently; while this could be attributed to bias in diagnostic methods, the pathogenicity of non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter spp. such as C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus (isolated from dogs and cats) is uncertain. Galleria mellonella larvae are suitable models of the mammalian innate immune system and have been applied to C. jejuni studies. This study compared the pathogenicity of C. jejuni, C. upsaliensis, and C. helveticus isolates. Larvae inoculated with either C. upsaliensis or C. helveticus showed significantly higher survival than those inoculated with C. jejuni. All three Campylobacter species induced indistinguishable histopathological changes in the larvae. C. jejuni could be isolated from inoculated larvae up to eight days post-inoculation whereas C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus could only be isolated in the first two days. There was a significant variation in the hazard rate between batches of larvae, in Campylobacter strains, and in biological replicates as random effects, and in species and bacterial dose as fixed effects. The Galleria model is applicable to other Campylobacter spp. as well as C. jejuni, but may be subject to significant variation with all Campylobacter species. While C. upsaliensis and C. helveticus cannot be considered non-pathogenic, they are significantly less pathogenic than C. jejuni. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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12 pages, 497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occurrence of Campylobacter jejuni in Gulls Feeding on Zagreb Rubbish Tip, Croatia; Their Diversity and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Perspective with Human and Broiler Isolates

by Luka Jurinović, Sanja Duvnjak, Gordan Kompes, Silvija Šoprek, Borka Šimpraga, Fani Krstulović, Marina Mikulić and Andrea Humski

Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090695 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2400

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis is the most common gastrointestinal bacterial disease in the European Union (EU). Wild birds are one of the natural reservoirs of these pathogens. In this study we tested cloacal swabs of 643 gulls captured on rubbish tip in Zagreb, Croatia for the [...] Read more.

Campylobacteriosis is the most common gastrointestinal bacterial disease in the European Union (EU). Wild birds are one of the natural reservoirs of these pathogens. In this study we tested cloacal swabs of 643 gulls captured on rubbish tip in Zagreb, Croatia for the presence of Campylobacter spp. and found 168 Campylobacter positive samples. We used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to genotype 62 random C. jejuni isolates from gulls, 24 isolates from broiler caeca, 27 isolates from broiler neck skins and 23 human isolates. Altogether, we identified 44 different STs, from which 19 were newly described. Most of the new STs (14) originate from gulls. Although humans and broilers share the majority of STs and isolates from gulls are separated from these, there was one ST present in all three hosts: 45. Additionally antimicrobial susceptibility to six antimicrobials was performed on 123 C. jejuni strains isolated from broiler caeca (n = 22), neck skins of broilers (n = 20), gulls cloacal swabs (n = 50) and human faeces (n = 31) by the broth microdilution method. Results show lower resistance of gull isolates to NAL and CIP, while resistance to TET was as high as in human and broiler isolates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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10 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Campylobacter jejuni from Canine and Bovine Cases of Campylobacteriosis Express High Antimicrobial Resistance Rates against (Fluoro)quinolones and Tetracyclines

by Sarah Moser, Helena Seth-Smith, Adrian Egli, Sonja Kittl and Gudrun Overesch

Pathogens 2020, 9(9), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9090691 - 23 Aug 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2738

Abstract

Campylobacter (C.) spp. from poultry is the main source of foodborne human campylobacteriosis, but diseased pets and cattle shedding Campylobacter spp. may contribute sporadically as a source of human infection. As fluoroquinolones are one of the drugs of choice for the [...] Read more.

Campylobacter (C.) spp. from poultry is the main source of foodborne human campylobacteriosis, but diseased pets and cattle shedding Campylobacter spp. may contribute sporadically as a source of human infection. As fluoroquinolones are one of the drugs of choice for the treatment of severe human campylobacteriosis, the resistance rates of C. jejuni and C. coli from poultry against antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, are monitored within the European program on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock. However, much less is published on the AMR rates of C.jejuni and C. coli from pets and cattle. Therefore, C. jejuni and C. coli isolated from diseased animals were tested phenotypically for AMR, and associated AMR genes or mutations were identified by whole genome sequencing. High rates of resistance to (fluoro)quinolones (41%) and tetracyclines (61.1%) were found in C. jejuni (n = 29/66). (Fluoro)quinolone resistance was associated with the known point mutation in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA, and tetracycline resistance was mostly caused by the tet(O) gene. These high rates of resistance, especially to critically important antibiotics in C. jejuni and C. coli, are worrisome not only in veterinary medicine. Efforts to preserve the efficacy of important antimicrobial treatment options in human and veterinary medicine have to be strengthened in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

16 pages, 2236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inflammatory Immune Responses and Gut Microbiota Changes Following Campylobacter coli Infection of IL-10^-/- Mice with Chronic Colitis

by Markus M. Heimesaat, Claudia Genger, Nina Biesemeier, Sigri Klove, Dennis Weschka, Soraya Mousavi and Stefan Bereswill

Pathogens 2020, 9(7), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9070560 - 11 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

Human infections with the food-borne enteropathogens Campylobacter are progressively rising. Recent evidence revealed that pre-existing intestinal inflammation facilitates enteropathogenic infection subsequently exacerbating the underlying disease. Given that only little is known about C. coli–host interactions and particularly during intestinal inflammation, the aim [...] Read more.

Human infections with the food-borne enteropathogens Campylobacter are progressively rising. Recent evidence revealed that pre-existing intestinal inflammation facilitates enteropathogenic infection subsequently exacerbating the underlying disease. Given that only little is known about C. coli–host interactions and particularly during intestinal inflammation, the aim of the present study was to survey gastrointestinal colonization properties, gut microbiota changes and pro-inflammatory sequelae upon peroral C. coli-infection of IL-10^-/- mice with chronic colitis. C. coli colonized the gastrointestinal tract of mice with varying efficiencies until day 28 post-infection and induced macroscopic and microscopic inflammatory changes as indicated by shorter colonic lengths, more distinct histopathological changes in the colonic mucosa and higher numbers of apoptotic colonic epithelial cells when compared to mock-infected controls. Furthermore, not only colonic innate and adaptive immune cell responses, but also enhanced systemic TNF-α secretion could be observed following C. coli as opposed to mock challenge. Notably, C. coli induced intestinal inflammatory sequelae were accompanied with gut microbiota shifts towards higher commensal enterobacterial loads in the infected gut lumen. Moreover, the pathogen translocated from the intestinal tract to extra-intestinal tissue sites in some cases, but never to systemic compartments. Hence, C. coli accelerates inflammatory immune responses in IL-10^-/- mice with chronic colitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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15 pages, 2677 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of the Effect of Catecholamines and Glucocorticoids on the Growth and Pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni

by Brendha Truccollo, Paul Whyte and Declan J. Bolton

Pathogens 2020, 9(7), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9070555 - 10 Jul 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2499

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. are major causes of foodborne illness globally, and are mostly transmitted through the consumption and handling of poultry. Campylobacter infections have widely variable outcomes, ranging from mild enteritis to severe illness, which are attributed to host interactions and the virulence of [...] Read more.

Campylobacter spp. are major causes of foodborne illness globally, and are mostly transmitted through the consumption and handling of poultry. Campylobacter infections have widely variable outcomes, ranging from mild enteritis to severe illness, which are attributed to host interactions and the virulence of the infecting strain. In this study, in order to investigate the effect of host stress on the growth and pathogenicity of C. jejuni, three strains associated with human infection and two strains from broilers were subject to growth, motility, adhesion and invasion assays, in response to exposure to catecholamines; epinephrine, norepinephrine and the glucocorticoid neuroendocrine hormones corticosterone, cortisol and cortisone which are associated with stress in humans and broilers. Catecholamines resulted in significantly increased growth, adhesion and invasion of Caco-2 cells. Corticosterone promoted growth in one of five strains, and cortisone resulted in a significant increase in motility in two out of five strains, while no significant differences were observed with the addition of cortisol. It was concluded that stress-associated hormones, especially catecholamines, may promote growth and virulence in Campylobacter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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12 pages, 767 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing for Food Animal Source Attribution of Human Campylobacter jejuni Infections

by Chih-Hao Hsu, Lucas Harrison, Sampa Mukherjee, Errol Strain, Patrick McDermott, Qijing Zhang and Shaohua Zhao

Pathogens 2020, 9(7), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9070532 - 02 Jul 2020

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3473

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen and common cause of bacterial enteritis worldwide. A total of 622 C. jejuni isolates recovered from food animals and retail meats in the United States through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System between 2013 and 2017 [...] Read more.

Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen and common cause of bacterial enteritis worldwide. A total of 622 C. jejuni isolates recovered from food animals and retail meats in the United States through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System between 2013 and 2017 were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq. Sequences were combined with WGS data of 222 human isolates downloaded from NCBI and analyzed by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) and traditional MLST. cgMLST allelic difference (AD) thresholds of 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 identified 828, 734, 652, 543, 422, 298 and 197 cgMLST types among the 844 isolates, respectively, and traditional MLST identified 174 ST. The cgMLST scheme allowing an AD of 200 (cgMLST₂₀₀) revealed strong correlation with MLST. cgMLST₂₀₀ showed 40.5% retail chicken isolates, 56.5% swine, 77.4% dairy cattle and 78.9% beef cattle isolates shared cgMLST sequence type with human isolates. All ST-8 had the same cgMLST₂₀₀ type (cgMLST₂₀₀-12) and 74.3% of ST-8 and 75% cgMLST₂₀₀-12 were confirmed as sheep abortion virulence clones by PorA analysis. Twenty-nine acquired resistance genes, including 21 alleles of bla_OXA, tetO, aph(3′)-IIIa, ant(6)-Ia, aadE, aad9, aph(2′)-Ig, aph(2′)-Ih, sat4 plus mutations in gyrA, 23SrRNA and L22 were identified. Resistance genotypes were strongly linked with cgMLST₂₀₀ type for certain groups including 12/12 cgMLST₂₀₀-510 with the A103V substitution in L22 and 10/11 cgMLST₂₀₀-608 with the T86I GyrA substitution associated with macrolide and quinolone resistance, respectively. In summary, the cgMLST₂₀₀ threshold scheme combined with resistance genotype information could provide an excellent subtyping scheme for source attribution of human C. jejuni infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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18 pages, 1820 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Toll-Like Receptor-4 Dependent Intestinal and Systemic Sequelae Following Peroral Campylobacter coli Infection of IL10 Deficient Mice Harboring a Human Gut Microbiota

by Sigri Kløve, Claudia Genger, Soraya Mousavi, Dennis Weschka, Stefan Bereswill and Markus M. Heimesaat

Pathogens 2020, 9(5), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9050386 - 18 May 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3048

Abstract

Zoonotic Campylobacter, including C. jejuni and C. coli, are among the most prevalent agents of food-borne enteritis worldwide. The immunopathological sequelae of campylobacteriosis are caused by Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent host immune responses, induced by bacterial lipooligosaccharide (LOS). In order to investigate [...] Read more.

Zoonotic Campylobacter, including C. jejuni and C. coli, are among the most prevalent agents of food-borne enteritis worldwide. The immunopathological sequelae of campylobacteriosis are caused by Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR4)-dependent host immune responses, induced by bacterial lipooligosaccharide (LOS). In order to investigate C. coli-host interactions, including the roles of the human gut microbiota and TLR4, upon infection, we applied a clinical acute campylobacteriosis model, and subjected secondary abiotic, TLR4-deficient IL10^-/- mice and IL10^-/- controls to fecal microbiota transplantation derived from human donors by gavage, before peroral C. coli challenge. Until day 21 post-infection, C. coli could stably colonize the gastrointestinal tract of human microbiota-associated (hma) mice of either genotype. TLR4-deficient IL10^-/- mice, however, displayed less severe clinical signs of infection, that were accompanied by less distinct apoptotic epithelial cell and innate as well as adaptive immune cell responses in the colon, as compared to IL10^-/- counterparts. Furthermore, C. coli infected IL10^-/-, as opposed to TLR4-deficient IL10^-/-, mice displayed increased pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in intestinal and, strikingly, systemic compartments. We conclude that pathogenic LOS might play an important role in inducing TLR4-dependent host immune responses upon C. coli infection, which needs to be further addressed in more detail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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17 pages, 7667 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Identification of Transmission Routes of Campylobacter and On-Farm Measures to Reduce Campylobacter in Chicken

by Sara Frosth, Oskar Karlsson-Lindsjö, Adnan Niazi, Lise-Lotte Fernström and Ingrid Hansson

Pathogens 2020, 9(5), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9050363 - 09 May 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4493

Abstract

An in-depth analysis was performed on Swedish broiler producers that had delivered chickens with Campylobacter to slaughter over several years, in order to identify possible transmission routes and formulate effective measures to prevent chickens being colonized with Campylobacter. Between 2017 and 2019, 626 [...] Read more.

An in-depth analysis was performed on Swedish broiler producers that had delivered chickens with Campylobacter to slaughter over several years, in order to identify possible transmission routes and formulate effective measures to prevent chickens being colonized with Campylobacter. Between 2017 and 2019, 626 samples were collected at farm level and Campylobacter was isolated from 133 (21.2%). All C. jejuni and C. coli isolated from these samples were whole-genome sequenced, together with isolates from the corresponding cecum samples at slaughter (n = 256). Core genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis, using schemes consisting of 1140 and 529 genes for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, revealed that nearby cattle, contaminated drinking water, water ponds, transport crates, and parent flocks were potential reservoirs of Campylobacter. A novel feature compared with previous studies is that measures were implemented and tested during the work. These contributed to a nationwide decrease in Campylobacter-positive flocks from 15.4% in 2016 to 4.6% in 2019, which is the lowest ever rate in Sweden. To conclude, there are different sources and routes of Campylobacter transmission to chickens from different broiler producers, and individual measures must be taken by each producer to prevent Campylobacter colonization of chickens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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13 pages, 2844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Litter Treatment on Campylobacter jejuni in Broilers and on Cecal Microbiota

by Amandine Thépault, Xavier Roulleau, Pauline Loiseau, Laurent Cauquil, Typhaine Poezevara, Bertrand Hyronimus, Ségolène Quesne, Florent Souchaud, Alassane Keita, Marianne Chemaly and Muriel Guyard-Nicodème

Pathogens 2020, 9(5), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9050333 - 29 Apr 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2168

Abstract

Since 2018, when a process hygiene criterion for Campylobacter in broilers at the slaughterhouse was implemented across Europe, efforts to reduce Campylobacter at farm level have increased. Despite numerous studies aiming to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers, no efficient control strategy has been [...] Read more.

Since 2018, when a process hygiene criterion for Campylobacter in broilers at the slaughterhouse was implemented across Europe, efforts to reduce Campylobacter at farm level have increased. Despite numerous studies aiming to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers, no efficient control strategy has been identified so far. The present work assessed first the efficacy of a commercial litter treatment to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers during two in-vivo trials and second, its impact on cecal microbiota. The treatment does not affect broiler growth and no effect on Campylobacter counts was observed during the in-vivo trials. Nevertheless, cecal microbiota were affected by the treatment. Alpha and beta diversity were significantly different for the control and litter-treated groups on day 35. In addition, several taxa were identified as significantly associated with the different experimental groups. Further work is needed to find a suitable control measure combining different strategies in order to reduce Campylobacter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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16 pages, 2093 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Molecular Characterization and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of C. jejuni Isolates from Italian Wild Bird Populations

by Francesca Marotta, Anna Janowicz, Lisa Di Marcantonio, Claudia Ercole, Guido Di Donato, Giuliano Garofolo and Elisabetta Di Giannatale

Pathogens 2020, 9(4), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9040304 - 20 Apr 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2996

Abstract

Poultry is considered a major reservoir of human campylobacteriosis. It also been reported that not only poultry, but also wild birds, are capable of carrying C. jejuni, thus demonstrating to be a risk of spreading the bacteria in the environment. To gain [...] Read more.

Poultry is considered a major reservoir of human campylobacteriosis. It also been reported that not only poultry, but also wild birds, are capable of carrying C. jejuni, thus demonstrating to be a risk of spreading the bacteria in the environment. To gain insight into the population structure and investigate the antimicrobial resistance genotypes and phenotypes, we analyzed a collection of 135 C. jejuni from 15 species of wild birds in Italy. MLST revealed the presence of 41 sequence types (STs) and 13 clonal complexes (CCs). ST-179 complex and the generalist ST-45 complex were the most prevalent. Core genome MLST revealed that C. jejuni from ST-45 complex clustered according to the bird species, unlike the ST-179 complex which featured 3 different species in the same cluster. Overall we found a moderate prevalence of resistance to tetracycline (12.5%), ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid (10%). The novel ST isolated from one pigeon showed resistance to all the antibiotics tested. The ST-179 complex (33.3%) was identified with significantly higher nalidixic acid resistance relative to other tested STs. Nine AMR genes (tet(O), cmeA, cmeB, cmeC, cmeR, aad, blaOXA-61, blaOXA-184 and erm(B)) and 23S rRNA and gyrA-associated point mutations were also described, indicating a concordance level between genotypic and phenotypic resistance of 23.3%, 23.4% and of 37.5% for streptomycin, tetracycline and quinolones/fluoroquinolones, respectively. We recommend that particular attention should be given to wild birds as key sentinel animals for the ecosystem contamination surveillance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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12 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges and Opportunities towards the Development of Risk Assessment at the Consumer Phase in Developing Countries—The Case of Campylobacter Cross-Contamination during Handling of Raw Chicken in Two Middle Eastern Countries

by Ihab Habib, Ali Harb, Ingrid Hansson, Ivar Vågsholm, Walaa Osama, Salma Adnan, Mohamed Anwar, Neveen Agamy and Sofia Boqvist

Pathogens 2020, 9(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9010062 - 16 Jan 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4462

Abstract

In many low- and middle-income countries, data limitations are a major challenge facing the development of food safety risk assessment. In the present study, a questionnaire data collection tool was designed with an emphasis on gathering specific data points required by a risk [...] Read more.

In many low- and middle-income countries, data limitations are a major challenge facing the development of food safety risk assessment. In the present study, a questionnaire data collection tool was designed with an emphasis on gathering specific data points required by a risk modeller for simulating a scenario of Campylobacter cross-contamination during handling of raw chicken meat at the consumer phase. The tool was tested in practice to support its value and applicability in settings where data limitations are a challenge. The study subjects were 450 consumers in two Middle Eastern settings: Alexandria in Egypt (n = 200) and Thi-Qar in Iraq (n = 250). The majority (78.5%) of respondents in Egypt opted for wet markets/live bird shops as their preferred source of chicken meat. In contrast, 59.6% of Iraqi respondents preferred to buy chicken meat from supermarkets. Added to that, 73.0% of consumers in Egypt and 56.8% of consumers in Iraq viewed the quality of frozen chicken as “inferior” to that of chicken from wet markets. Almost all respondents in both Egypt and Iraq shared the practice of washing chicken in water before cooking. The percentage of consumers who ‘very frequently’ or ‘frequently’ prepare chicken prior to making the salad was 32.5% and 55.2% in Egypt and Iraq, respectively. A sizeable proportion of respondents in Iraq (40.8%) reported that they did not consider washing their hands with soapy water after touching raw chicken and preparing a salad in their home kitchen. Finally, 28.8% and 6.5% of respondents in Iraq and Egypt, respectively, indicated that they would not consider using a separate cutting board to avoid cross-contamination between raw chicken and salad. The data collection tool used in this study was designed in the first instance to match a conceptualised risk assessment framework, and that enabled the simultaneous collection of data points on consumption frequency, serving sizes, purchasing patterns, retail chain diversity and food handling practices. Results from such study design could be used for future development of a quantitative risk assessment model and to support food safety promotion efforts for domestic consumers in two of the most populated Middle Eastern countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Campylobacter Infections)

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