A review of vaccine development and research for industry animals in Korea

Lee, Nak-Hyung; Lee, Jung-Ah; Park, Seung-Yong; Song, Chang-Seon; Choi, In-Soo; Lee, Joong-Bok

Campylobacter jejuni is the major cause of foodborne disease in humans through the consumption of contaminated meat product, in particular poultry. This bacterium is very well adapted to chicken but has a low infectious dose for humans. In chicken, the bacteria can be heavily and persistently colonized in the gut without evident clinical signs. Such lack of pathogenic interaction with the host is the most challenging issue to develop reliable vaccine. In addition, they are heterologous genetically and antigenically, as the result of uptake of foreign DNA because of their ability of naturally competence. Many types of live and inactivated vaccine have been tested but it was not practically applicable. Some vaccines containing whole bacteria or flagellin have provided partial protection against Campylobacter challenge in chickens. However, attenuated live vaccine may be more promising in the near future. Although several vaccines are under development for preventing human infection, vaccine for chicken would be better way to prevent transmission to humans and ultimately the implementation of rigorous hygienic measures on carcasses after slaughtering would be a the best way to control these bacteria.