Multilocus sequence typing of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> and <i>Campylobacter coli</i> to identify potential sources of colonization in commercial turkey farms
Creators: name: Piccirillo, Alessandra
name: Giacomelli, Martina
name: Niero, Giulia
name: Luca, Carlotta De
name: Carraro, Lisa
name: Ortali, Giovanni
name: Mughini-Gras, Lapo
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2018
Subjects: subject: Space Science
subject: Medicine
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences
subject: Ecology
subject: 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: 110309 Infectious Diseases
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: FOS: Health sciences
subject: 60506 Virology

description: Poultry are the main reservoir for thermophilic <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., which is the most common causative agent of human bacterial gastroenteritis. The epidemiology of <i>Campylobacter</i> in poultry, particularly in turkeys, is not completely understood. This study aimed at identifying potential sources and transmission routes of thermophilic <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. in commercial turkey farms. <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> isolates from breeders (<i>n</i> = 29, 20 <i>C. jejuni</i> and 9 <i>C. coli</i>) and their progeny (<i>n</i> = 51, 18 <i>C. jejuni</i> and 33 <i>C. coli</i>) reared in two different farms for three sequential production cycles were analysed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Strains (<i>n</i> = 88, 42 <i>C. jejuni</i> and 46 <i>C. coli</i>) isolated from environmental (i.e. anteroom and in-house overshoes), water (i.e. drinkers and water line), and pest (i.e. flies, <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i>, and mice) sources were also examined. MLST of <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> isolates resulted in 13 and 12 different sequence types (STs) belonging to six and one previously-described clonal complexes (CCs), respectively. Three novel STs were identified. Genetic similarities were detected between isolates from fattening turkeys and the considered environmental, water, and pest sources, and with the breeders to a lesser extent. Source attribution analysis estimated that environmental and water sources accounted for most (∼75%) of fattening turkey isolates and were therefore identified as the most likely sources of flock colonization, followed by pests (∼20%) and breeders (∼5%). These sources may thus be targeted by control measures to mitigate the risk of <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization in commercial turkeys. <b>RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS</b>High occurrence of <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> in commercial turkey flocks.High genetic diversity of <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> in commercial turkey flocks.Horizontal transmission responsible for <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks.Environmental and water sources involved in <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks.Strategies for prevention and control of <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks are needed. High occurrence of <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> in commercial turkey flocks. High genetic diversity of <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i> in commercial turkey flocks. Horizontal transmission responsible for <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks. Environmental and water sources involved in <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks. Strategies for prevention and control of <i>Campylobacter</i> colonization of commercial turkey flocks are needed.