Campylobacter is a leading cause of foodborne illness. Traditional contamination control focuses on meat processing. However, if producers can control Campylobacter colonisation in the birds’ intestinal tract, prior to slaughter, then there is likely to be a reduction of contamination of processed birds.

Research shows that the functional metabolites in Diamond V Original XPC™ directly impact innate immunity by increasing natural killer cell activity and lysozyme activity, while reducing IFN-gamma production. Adaptive immunity is also impacted as shown by higher levels of secretory IgA and increased antibody titre levels following vaccination.

Recent independent studies in broilers and turkey hens used a Campylobacter coli challenge to evaluate the effects of Original XPC on C. coli colonisation and transmission.

The research showed:

• Feeding Original XPC improved broiler and turkey feed conversion at market age.
• Feeding XPC reduced Campylobacter load (MPN or cfu) in horizontally challenged birds.
• Adding XPC at 2.5 lb per ton lowered incidence of C. coli isolated from commercial broilers at 42 days of age.
• The incidence and load of C. coli were reduced at 12 weeks of age in XPC-fed turkeys.

For details of Diamond V’s research on Original XPC fed to poultry, visit www.diamondv.com/languages/en/poultry-research-reports/.

For updates on ongoing poultry research, subscribe to 'PoultryAdvisor' at www.diamondv.com.