A new tool for air sample-based surveillance of Campylobacter and Salmonella in poultry flocks

The AeroCollect is a new air sampling tool that can capture both bacteria and virus from the air inside poultry houses. Each sample provides enough material for several analyses and hence offers the possibility for identification of different zoonotic and/or bird pathogenic microorganisms in a single sample. In the present study, the performance of the AeroCollect technology was compared to that of the traditional boot samples for the surveillance and detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella Typhimurium. The Campylobacter study was based on paired samples collected on a weekly basis from 12 rotations on 2 broiler farms with known history of Campylobacter infection. The Salmonella study was based on a controlled infection study where chickens were infected orally with Salmonella Typhimurium at 15 d of age. The collected air samples were analysed using traditional PCR and RT-PCR methods without the need for any further sample preparation steps. In naturally infected flocks, Campylobacter was detected in air samples at the same time as in the paired boot samples. In the controlled infection study where all broilers were inoculated at the same time, Salmonella was found in air samples 1 to 4 d after it was found in boot samples. Before the microorganisms are collected in air samples, they must enter the air either via aerosolization, or more likely adhering to dust particles which requires time post shedding.