Prevalence of Campylobacter in a turkey production facility

Frequency of detection was monitored in three flocks of turkeys from May, 2000 to March 2001. The effect of time was considered for hens in flocks 1 and 2, and the effect of time, gender, and litter (fresh or used) was determined for flock 3. Poults, poult-box liners, waterers, and fecal droppings were monitered throughout production for the presence of Campylobacter using Campy-Cefex agar incubated at 42°C under microaerophilic conditions (85% N2, 10% CO2, and 5% O2). Peak colonization occurred near 3 weeks of production. Frequency of Campylobacter isolation from bird sources paralleled isolation from waterers. Frequency of detection from birds placed originally on used litter was significantly lower than detection from birds placed originally on fresh litter (2 v. 58%). Gender did not affect rate of detection. Controls to minimize peak colonization at 3 weeks and appropriate litter management are opportunities to reduce the level of this organism in turkeys.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal and Nutritional Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2001

Author dc:creator

• Kiess, Aaron Shawn

Contributors dc:contributor

• P. Brett Kenney.

• Microbiology
• Animal sciences

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1314

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2317