Context of the study : the Campylobacter prevalence in pigs has been estimated at 78% in 2000 and a high resistance to antibiotics has been demonstrated. However, Campylobacter jejuni, associated with foodborne human infection cases, is found more in broiled chickens than pigs, this latter hosting C. coli, is less often involved in public health. The RCMS research team was able to establish an epidemiological relationship 
between strains found in poultry in the same geographical region of Quebec and those obtained from public health cases, where half of these strains were multiresistant to antibiotics. Therefore, the control of Campylobacter becomes increasingly important. The risk analysis has demonstrated that the prevention of human campylobacteriosis is based on rapid intervention in order to reduce or eradicate colonization at poultry flock level where various measures are required to reduce the persistence of this pathogen in live animals.
Research proposal : with the aim of controlling Campylobacter in chickens, the research project proposes to elucidate mechanisms 
that generate the persistence of Campylobacter with emphasis on understanding all processes involved in colonization. Adhesion and invasion studies will be carrying out by using two models: primary epithelial cells and explant cultures from caecum of chicken. Finally, in order to prevent the infection, various feed additives will be tested, on both cellular and explant models, as well as in vivo in chicks.
Students :
| Master | Audrey Perron |
| Supervisor | Ann Letellier |
| Co- supervisor | Philippe Fravalo |
| PhD | Alexandre Thibodeau |
| Supervisor | Ann Letellier |
| Co-supervisor | Philippe Fravalo |
| PhD | Non encore identifié |
| Supervisor | Ann Letellier |
| Co-supervisor | Philippe Fravalo |
