Feed can be a source of Campylobacter jejuni infection in broilers

1. The aim was to determine the importance of a contaminated diet as a possible cause of Campylobacter jejuni infection in broilers.

2. This study evaluated the viability of C. jejuni in both starter and finisher diets and the interference from other mesophilic bacteria in this viability.

3. Starter and finisher samples of broiler diet were deliberately contaminated with 3 or 5 log CFU·g^?1 of C. jejuni (NCTC 11351) and then maintained at two different storage temperatures (25°C or 37°C) for 3 or 5 d.

4. C. jejuni survived during this period and, when inoculated at 10³ CFU·g^?1, multiplied with greater proliferation at a storage temperature of 37°C. There was no relationship between the amount of mesophilic bacteria and C. jejuni viability.

5. This study highlights the importance of the diet in the epidemiology of C. jejuni in broilers.