Publications by authors named "Kristof Haems"
Article Synopsis
- Thermophilic species are a major cause of diarrheal diseases in humans, with poultry being a key reservoir for Campylobacter infection.
- A study evaluated the potential of maternal antibodies to protect broiler chicks from colonization, finding that chicks from breeder flocks with lower antibody levels were more susceptible.
- While immunization of breeders can increase maternal antibody levels and may reduce susceptibility in chicks, it is not a complete solution for controlling Campylobacter in poultry.
Campylobacter is the main cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide, with 50 to 80% of the cases related to consumption of poultry products. Maternal antibodies (MAB) from commercial breeder flocks may protect their progeny against infection during the first few weeks of life. We here studied the prevalence of Campylobacter antibody titers in broiler breeder flocks and to which extent immunization of broiler breeders increases maternal anti-Campylobacter titers in their progeny and protects the offspring against Campylobacter colonization.
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