@article{01HYJAPYVNENDHG8VJY0TVGTR1,
  abstract     = {{Campylobacter is the main cause of foodborne human gastroenteritis worldwide. Most of these cases originate from the consumption of poultry products. Broiler chickens are often colonized by this bacterium, with a high prevalence at slaughter age. However, in the first 2-3 weeks of life, chicks are resistant to Campylobacter infection, and this resistance has been attributed to the transfer of maternal antibodies from the hen's serum to the yolk and then to the hatched chick's bloodstream and intestines. In this study, the role of maternal antibodies in the protection of broilers against Campylobacter colonization was investigated. Field monitoring of broiler flocks from breeders with varying antibody levels showed a trend of lower Campylobacter prevalence in offspring from high-antibody-level breeders. In a series of trials, breeders were vaccinated to increase maternal antibody levels in offspring, with the aim of increasing the chicks' resistance to infection. A minor reduction in Campylobacter prevalence was obtained only in the second week of life. Immunization of breeders thus showed limited efficacy in enhancing protection against Campylobacter infection in the offspring. Thermophilic Campylobacter species are the most common cause of bacterium-mediated diarrheal disease in humans globally. Poultry is considered the most important reservoir of human campylobacteriosis, but so far, no effective countermeasures are in place to prevent the bacterium from colonizing broiler flocks. This study investigated maternal antibodies' potential to offer protection against Campylobacter in broiler chicks via a field trial and an immunization trial. In the field trial, breeder flocks with high and low anti-Campylobacter antibody levels in the yolk were selected based on serological screening. Offspring were subsequently monitored for maternal antibodies and Campylobacter prevalence during early life. Although maternal antibodies declined rapidly in the serum of broilers, offspring from flocks with lower anti-Campylobacter antibody levels seemed to be more susceptible to colonization. In the immunization trial, breeders from a seropositive breeder flock were vaccinated with an experimental bacterin or subunit vaccine. Immunization increased antibody levels in the yolk and consequently in the offspring. Elevated maternal antibody levels were significantly associated with reduced Campylobacter susceptibility in broilers at 2 weeks old but not at 1 and 3 weeks old. Overall, the protective effect of maternal immunity should be cautiously considered in the context of Campylobacter control in broilers. Immunization of breeders may enhance resistance but is not a comprehensive solution.}},
  articleno    = {{1291}},
  author       = {{Haems, Kristof and Strubbe, Diederik and Van Rysselberghe, Nathalie and Rasschaert, Geertrui and Martel, An and Pasmans, Frank and Garmyn, An}},
  issn         = {{2076-2615}},
  journal      = {{ANIMALS}},
  keywords     = {{vaccination,broiler breeder,broiler,maternal antibody,Campylobacter}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{21}},
  title        = {{Role of maternal antibodies in the protection of broiler chicks against campylobacter colonization in the first weeks of life}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091291}},
  volume       = {{14}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}

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