A clinical report on prevalence of Campylobacterspp. colonization in broiler flocks at Chittagong

Abstract

Campylobacteriosis remain as one of the major bacterial zoonotic diseases in humans. All commercially reared poultry species can carry the causative agent – Campylobacter spp.; the risk of transmission is greater from broiler chickens because of high level of consumption. Very few studies on Campylobacter spp. Colonization in broilers of Bangladesh was observed. Therefore a baseline survey was conducted during March 2018 to April 2018 to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. colonization and its associated risk factors in broilers of Chittagong. A total of 20 (randomly selected) broiler farms from Chittagong tested for Campylobacter spp. colonization. Data for risk factor analysis were gathered by a questionnaire. The sample material was comprised of five (5) cloacal swabs from five randomly selected broilers from each flock that were pooled into one for culturing in a selective media followed by incubation in CO2 atmosphere. A total of 55% of the broiler flocks were found positive. Of that, 46% having flock size <2000, 71% having flock size ≥2000 (p-value 0.37). 67% positive farms were established before the year 2010 and 45% after 2010 (p-value 0.45). 20% farms were positive when single person entered into the house per day, 50% when 2 person entered per day, 100% when the number of person entered was >2 (p-value 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that less number of (50%) farms were positive when the age of the flocks were <2 weeks compared to >2 weeks age of the flocks (63%). Prevalence was lowest if the farm raised six flocks per house per year (0%) compared to eight flocks per house per year (63%) and ten flocks per house per year (50%). In this study, some of the risk factors did not show any significant association, might be because of less sample size (N=20). Campylobacter spp. does not spread from broiler to human only via consumption of meat but also handling of live broilers and during preparation of meat and meat products. As Campylobacter spp. can spread from broiler to human by several routes, control of infection in the primary broiler production is believed to have the greatest public health benefit. We have gathered evidence of presence of Campylobacter spp. colonization in broiler flocks at Chittagong through this baseline survey. Further extended study might provide useful information to formulate a national control program.