From Farm-to-Fork: EMD Millipore Singlepath Direct Campy Poultry Rapid Test Kit for Farm-based Direct Detection of Campylobacter spp. in Caecal-type Samples from Live Chicken

Introduction: The 2012 EFSA Scientific Opinion on meat inspection (EFSA Journal 2012;10(6):2741) proposed testing the Campylobacter status of live broiler flocks ≤ 3 days prior to slaughter, to identify the ‘high shedding’ flocks and allow segregation from low-shedding at slaughter, thereby avoiding cross-contamination of carcasses and reducing human consumption of Campylobacter spp. Such a strategy requires on-farm testing and a method which requires no specialized equipment or laboratory-trained personnel. Lateral Flow technology fulfils this requirement and offers a reliable, fast, user-friendly, alternative detection method to the laboratory-based cultural reference methods.

Purpose: To develop and evaluate a qualitative immunochromatographic assay for direct (non-enrichment) detection of high shedding (≥ 7.5 log CFU/g of caecal-type sample) C. jejuni and C. coli broiler chicken flocks, within 2 hours of sampling, as a rapid and farm-based alternative to standard cultural reference methods to monitor Campylobacterstatus of flocks and assist slaughter scheduling.

Methods: A sandwich Lateral Flow assay was developed, using gold labelled specific antibodies for Campylobacter spp. A non-enrichment sample preparation protocol was developed to enable a time-to-result of within 1 hour of sampling. Evaluation was by field studies conducted both on-farm (caecal droppings) and at slaughterhouse (caecal contents) using a cross-seasonal representative set of broiler chicken caecal-type samples. Reference method comparison was with ISO 10272 cultural method.

Results: In a field trial of caecal droppings collected on farm (n = 60), Singlepath® Direct Campy Poultry achieved a sensitivity of 96% (% correctly classified positive) and a specificity of > 99% (% correctly classified negative) based on a Limit of Detection of ≥ 7.5 log CFU/g of caecal content. In a field trial of caecal contents collected at slaughter (n = 60), Singlepath® Direct Campy Poultryachieved a sensitivity of 96% (% correctly classified positive) and a specificity of > 99% (% correctly classified negative) based on a Limit of Detection of ≥ 7.5 log CFU/g of caecal content.

Significance: EMD Millipore Singlepath® Direct Campy Poultry Rapid Test Kit provides a unique, alternative, fast and simple method for detection of high shedding ≥ 7.5 log CFU/g of caecal-type sample) C. jejuni and C. coli broiler chicken flocks, on-farm or at slaughter, and can assist in monitoring Campylobacter spp status of flocks and in slaughter scheduling.