Bacteriocins fight Campylobacter in turkeys.

A University of Arkansas-led research team has found that an effective way to eliminate pathogenic Campylobacter in turkeys is to use proteins produced naturally by other bacteria: bacteriocins. These proteins can eliminate Campylobacter, and they can also change conditions in the gut so that the pathogen has fewer places to develop.

If scientists can eliminate Campylobacter, we wouldn't have to worry about antibiotic resistance. Campylobacter, one of the leading bacterial causes of foodborne illness, has often been the target of antibiotic treatment in poultry. But that approach has its disadvantages. The concern is that the Campylobacter in poultry will become resistant to the antibiotics, leading to human consumers becoming sick.

The solution appears to be to eliminate the Campylobacter through other means--in this case, bacteriocins. This also would eliminate the problems in using antibiotics in poultry for other purposes.

Although bacteriocins are effective at eliminating detectable levels of Campylobacter, there is concern about undetectable levels of the pathogen that might still be in the bird's system. Any possible remaining numbers of the pathogen can recolonize inside a bird within a few days. But if the birds are administered doses of bacteriocins just before processing, then the potential problem is eliminated. By the time the bird would reach the consumer, those numbers of Campylobacter--if they do exist--would be at such a low level that they wouldn't pose a risk to human health.

Researchers are also exploring the effects that bacteriocins have on turkey guts. After three days, the bacteriocins appear to reduce the size of the bird's crypts, narrow but deep pockets in the intestinal wall, where Campylobacter is sequestered. It is possible a smaller crypt size, and subsequent greater exposure to the intestinal lumen, may change the nutrient or chemical environment, limiting Campylobacter growth and colonization, according to the scientists.

The bacteriocins also appear to reduce the number of goblet cells in a bird's intestines. The goblet cells excrete mucin, a glycoprotein that serves as an energy source for Campylobacter. Fewer goblet cells may mean there are less available nutrients to support Campylobacter growth, the researchers believe.

Further information. Dan Donoghue, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, POSC O-114, Fayetteville, AR 72701; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].