Molecular subtype analyses of Campylobacter spp. from Arkansas and California poultry operations

Abstract

Campylobacter isolates from diverse samples within broiler production and processing environments were typed by using flaA short variable region DNA sequence analysis. Sixteen flocks from four different farms representing two broiler producers in Arkansas and California were analyzed. Fourteen of the flocks (87.5%) were Campylobacter-positive; two remained negative throughout the 6-week rearing period. In general, multiple clones were present within a flock. Additionally, clones found within a flock were also present on the final product, although the diversity of Campylobacter spp. on the final product appeared to be reduced relative to that observed within the flock. Comparison of clones between flocks on the same farm revealed that some clones of Campylobacter persisted in multiple flocks. Furthermore, some clones were identified across the two farms that were under the same management. In two sampling periods, environmental isolates were positive for Campylobacter prior to flock shedding. Environmental samples associated with five additional flocks were positive for Campylobacter concomitantly with recovery of Campylobacter from the birds. Analysis of the environmental isolates that were positive prior to flock shedding demonstrated that in some instances the environmental isolates possessed genotypes identical to those of isolates originating from the flock, while in other cases the environmental isolates possessed genotypes that were distantly related to isolates obtained from the flock. Analyses of environmental isolates that tested positive concurrently with the positive isolates from the flocks demonstrated varied results; in some instances the environmental isolates possessed genotypes identical to those of isolates originating from the flock, while in other cases the environmental isolates possessed genotypes that were distantly related to isolates obtained from the flock. These data suggest that the external environment may contribute to Campylobacter contamination during poultry production and processing. However, environmental contamination with Campylobacter does not appear to be the sole contributing factor.

FIG. 1.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas low-performance farm in the fall. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 2.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the California high-performance farm in the winter. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided. Asterisks denote isolates that were obtained prior to flock shedding.

FIG. 3.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas high-performance farm in the spring. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 4.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas low-performance farm in the spring. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 5.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the California high-performance farm in the spring. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 6.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the California high-performance farm in the summer. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 7.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the California high-performance farm in the fall. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 8.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas high-performance farm in the summer. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 9.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas high-performance farm in the fall. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 10.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas high-performance farm in the winter. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 11.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas low-performance farm in the winter. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.

FIG. 12.

Relationships derived from comparison of the SVR DNA sequences of the flaA genes from Campylobacter organisms isolated from the Arkansas low-performance farm in the summer. The dendrogram was generated as described in Materials and Methods, and the isolates are labeled as described in Results. The dates of isolation and the sources of the isolates are also provided.