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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Oct;102(10):102905.
doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102905. Epub 2023 Jul 1.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the sources of Campylobacter in poultry production (preharvest) and their relative contributions to the microbial risk of poultry meat

J Wang  1 , S Vaddu  1 , S Bhumanapalli  1 , A Mishra  2 , T Applegate  1 , M Singh  2 , H Thippareddi  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the sources of Campylobacter in poultry production (preharvest) and their relative contributions to the microbial risk of poultry meat

J Wang et al. Poult Sci. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to idetnify the relative contributions of the sources of Campylobacter in poultry live production to Campylobacter prevalence of broiler meat. The keywords of Campylobacter, prevalence, live production, and broiler were used in Google Scholar to address the research interest. A total of 16,800 citations were identified, and 63 relevant citations were included in the meta-analysis after applying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A generalized linear mixed model approach combined with logit transformation was used in the current meta-analysis to stabilize the variance. The analysis revealed that Campylobacter is ubiquitous in the poultry house exterior environment including surroundings, wildlife, domestic animals, and farm vehicle, with a predicted prevalence of 14%. The recovery of Campylobacter in the interior environment of the poultry house is far less abundant than in the exterior, with a prevalence of 2%, including litter, water, insects, mice, feed, and air. A lack of evidence was observed for vertical transmission due to the day-old chicks being free of Campylobacter from 4 studies identified. Live birds are the predominant carrier of Campylobacter, with a predicted prevalence of 41%. Transportation equipment used for live haul had an overall prevalence of 39%, with vehicles showing a predicted prevalence of 44% and crates with a predicted prevalence of 22%. The results of this meta-analysis highlight the need to implement effective biosecurity measures to minimize the risk of Campylobacter in poultry meat, as human activity appears to be the primary factor for Campylobacter introduction.

Keywords: Campylobacter; broiler chicken; contribution factor; meta-analysis; preharvesting.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the systematic review process.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary Forest plot for all sources of Campylobacter colonization of broilers in a poultry house.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sources and their relative contribution to the Campylobacter in broiler production.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot for environment-exterior as a source of Campylobacter colonization of broilers in a poultry house.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot for environment-interior as a source of Campylobacter colonization of broilers in a poultry house.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot for vertical transmission as a source of Campylobacter colonization in a poultry house.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Forest plot for Campylobacter prevalence of broilers at farm and the processing plant.
Figure 7.1
Figure 7.1
Forest plot for Campylobacter prevalence on broiler farms by regions.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Forest plot for transportation equipment during live haul as a source of Campylobacter colonization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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