THE COLONIZATION OF BROILER-CHICKENS WITH CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI - SOMEEPIDEMIOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS

Between June 1990 and July 1991, broiler chickens from 49 flocks from 23 farms were examined for the carriage of Campylobacter jejuni at sla ughter. Thirty-seven flocks (76 %) were campylobacter-positive. Preval ence of campylobacter-colonization was not associated with any of a va riety of factors such as water source and broiler house floor structur e. There was also no apparent seasonal variation in carriage. Investig ations on one farm indicated that dipping boots in disinfectant before workers entered broiler houses either delayed or prevented colonizati on with C. jejuni.