House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The concurrent rise in consumption of fresh chicken meat and human campylobacteriosis in the late 1990's in Iceland led to a longitudinal study of the poultry industry to identify the means to decrease the frequency of broiler f...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2007-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/3/30 |
| _version_ | 1811316522507829248 |
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| author | Berke Olaf Reiersen Jarle Martin Wayne Guerin Michele T McEwen Scott A Bisaillon Jean-Robert Lowman Ruff |
| author_facet | Berke Olaf Reiersen Jarle Martin Wayne Guerin Michele T McEwen Scott A Bisaillon Jean-Robert Lowman Ruff |
| author_sort | Berke Olaf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The concurrent rise in consumption of fresh chicken meat and human campylobacteriosis in the late 1990's in Iceland led to a longitudinal study of the poultry industry to identify the means to decrease the frequency of broiler flock colonization with <it>Campylobacter</it>. Because horizontal transmission from the environment is thought to be the most likely source of <it>Campylobacter </it>to broilers, we aimed to identify broiler house characteristics and management practices associated with flock colonization. Between May 2001 and September 2004, pooled caecal samples were obtained from 1,425 flocks at slaughter and cultured for <it>Campylobacter</it>. Due to the strong seasonal variation in flock prevalence, analyses were restricted to a subset of 792 flocks raised during the four summer seasons. Logistic regression models with a farm random effect were used to analyse the association between flock <it>Campylobacter </it>status and house-level risk factors. A two-stage process was carried out. Variables were initially screened within major subsets: ventilation; roof and floor drainage; building quality, materials and repair; house structure; pest proofing; biosecurity; sanitation; and house size. Variables with p ≤ 0.15 were then offered to a comprehensive model. Multivariable analyses were used in both the screening stage (i.e. within each subset) and in the comprehensive model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>217 out of 792 flocks (27.4%) tested positive. Four significant risk factors were identified. <it>Campylobacter </it>colonization was predicted to increase when the flock was raised in a house with vertical (OR = 2.7), or vertical and horizontal (OR = 3.2) ventilation shafts, when the producer's boots were cleaned and disinfected prior to entering the broiler house (OR = 2.2), and when the house was cleaned with geothermal water (OR = 3.3).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The increased risk associated with vertical ventilation shafts might be related to the height of the vents and the potential for vectors such as flies to gain access to the house, or, increased difficulty in accessing the vents for proper cleaning and disinfection. For newly constructed houses, horizontal ventilation systems could be considered. Boot dipping procedures should be examined on farms experiencing a high prevalence of <it>Campylobacter</it>. Although it remains unclear how geothermal water increases risk, further research is warranted to determine if it is a surrogate for environmental pressures or the microclimate of the farm and surrounding region.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:50:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f627474c34c4c83a66dd1d031957b93 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T11:50:20Z |
| publishDate | 2007-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f627474c34c4c83a66dd1d031957b932022-12-22T02:48:03ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482007-11-01313010.1186/1746-6148-3-30House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004Berke OlafReiersen JarleMartin WayneGuerin Michele TMcEwen Scott ABisaillon Jean-RobertLowman Ruff<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The concurrent rise in consumption of fresh chicken meat and human campylobacteriosis in the late 1990's in Iceland led to a longitudinal study of the poultry industry to identify the means to decrease the frequency of broiler flock colonization with <it>Campylobacter</it>. Because horizontal transmission from the environment is thought to be the most likely source of <it>Campylobacter </it>to broilers, we aimed to identify broiler house characteristics and management practices associated with flock colonization. Between May 2001 and September 2004, pooled caecal samples were obtained from 1,425 flocks at slaughter and cultured for <it>Campylobacter</it>. Due to the strong seasonal variation in flock prevalence, analyses were restricted to a subset of 792 flocks raised during the four summer seasons. Logistic regression models with a farm random effect were used to analyse the association between flock <it>Campylobacter </it>status and house-level risk factors. A two-stage process was carried out. Variables were initially screened within major subsets: ventilation; roof and floor drainage; building quality, materials and repair; house structure; pest proofing; biosecurity; sanitation; and house size. Variables with p ≤ 0.15 were then offered to a comprehensive model. Multivariable analyses were used in both the screening stage (i.e. within each subset) and in the comprehensive model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>217 out of 792 flocks (27.4%) tested positive. Four significant risk factors were identified. <it>Campylobacter </it>colonization was predicted to increase when the flock was raised in a house with vertical (OR = 2.7), or vertical and horizontal (OR = 3.2) ventilation shafts, when the producer's boots were cleaned and disinfected prior to entering the broiler house (OR = 2.2), and when the house was cleaned with geothermal water (OR = 3.3).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The increased risk associated with vertical ventilation shafts might be related to the height of the vents and the potential for vectors such as flies to gain access to the house, or, increased difficulty in accessing the vents for proper cleaning and disinfection. For newly constructed houses, horizontal ventilation systems could be considered. Boot dipping procedures should be examined on farms experiencing a high prevalence of <it>Campylobacter</it>. Although it remains unclear how geothermal water increases risk, further research is warranted to determine if it is a surrogate for environmental pressures or the microclimate of the farm and surrounding region.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/3/30 |
| spellingShingle | Berke Olaf Reiersen Jarle Martin Wayne Guerin Michele T McEwen Scott A Bisaillon Jean-Robert Lowman Ruff House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 BMC Veterinary Research |
| title | House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 |
| title_full | House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 |
| title_fullStr | House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 |
| title_full_unstemmed | House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 |
| title_short | House-level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with <it>Campylobacter </it>spp. in Iceland, 2001 – 2004 |
| title_sort | house level risk factors associated with the colonization of broiler flocks with it campylobacter it spp in iceland 2001 2004 |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/3/30 |
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