Improving Campylobacter Control in Poultry Through Integrated Pathogen Research and Intervention Strategies

Campylobacter spp. are zoonotic pathogens often isolated from poultry meat and eggs. While the disease usually causes a self limiting infection with fever and enteritis, it may be catastrophic to those individuals (infants, elderly, immune-suppressed) who do not have a strong immune system. The bacteria have also been implicated in diseases such as Guillain Barre syndrome, which causes temporary paralysis due to an autoimmune response against the myelin which insulates nerves. The objective of the proposed research is to better understand the pathogenesis of Campylobacter spp. and develop a novel means to eradicate these pathogens.