Analysis of a rapid test for the detection of Campylobacter spp. from broiler chicken samples, and the morphological characterisation of Megamonas hypermegale NCTC 10570

Bradley, Dylan George (2022) Analysis of a rapid test for the detection of Campylobacter spp. from broiler chicken samples, and the morphological characterisation of Megamonas hypermegale NCTC 10570. MRes thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

The established chicken gastrointestinal microbiota is a densely populated ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, Protista, archaea and viruses. Bacterial density and diversity dramatically increase in the caeca. A critical role for the caecal microbiota is to prevent or reduce the colonisation of pathogens in the caecal lumen. The World Health Organisation describes Campylobacter species and Salmonellae as two of the important causative organisms of diarrhoeal disease worldwide. Infections caused by these organisms are mostly associated with ingestion of undercooked meat, such as chicken and chicken products. Megamonas hypermegale primarily populates the adult caecal microbiota and has been associated with the exclusion of Salmonellae and Campylobacter from chickens. This study firstly aimed to characterise M. hypermegale on different culture media to evaluate methods of isolation used in previous research. The colony morphology and growth of M. hypermegale on TGY, FAA and EVA media was studied; determining that there is currently no reliable selective medium for its isolation from chicken caecal contents. The secondary focus of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Onsite lateral flow device (LFD) with caecal contents, cloacal swabs from broiler chickens and boot swabs – absorbent overshoes worn to collect environmental samples from broiler chicken houses for the detection of Campylobacter. Campylobacter was successfully detected in broiler chicken samples with the Onsite Diagnostics’ LFD and showed strong association when evaluated against an enumeration by the Miles and Misra technique. It was concluded that boot swabs were unsuitable for use with the test, however, cloacal swabs were simple to use and produced accurate results. The sensitivity for caecal contents samples was 100 %, whereas specificity was 92 %

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (MRes)
Supervisors: Connerton, Ian F.
Mellits, Kenneth
Keywords: Campylobacter, broiler chickens, microbiota
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Science > School of Biosciences
Item ID: 71204
Depositing User: Bradley, Dylan
Date Deposited: 18 Aug 2023 14:20
Last Modified: 18 Aug 2023 14:20
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/71204

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