Considering the concept of nutritional modification coupled with phytase supplementation for reducing Campylobacter jejuni in broilers

<i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> remains a significant health concern in humans, with the consumption of contaminated poultry meat being the primary source. Nutritional virulence could be utilized to help reduce <i>Campylobacter</i> in poultry, specifically by reducing dietary iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P), which appear to be essential for <i>Campylobacter</i> growth and persistence, in combination with phytase supplementation to meet bird mineral requirements. We discuss the scientific basis of this hypothesis and present results of a small-scale proof-of-concept broiler study comprising: (1) control: mixed grain commercial diet; (2) added Fe- and inorganic phosphate (iP)-free premix: as control but formulated without Fe in the mineral premix and without added iP, with increased phytase [phytase unit (FTU)/kg per phase] and higher associated matrix values for Ca, metabolizable energy (ME), and digestible amino acids (AA) vs. control. Over the 42-day (d) trial, birds exhibited similar (non-significantly different) livability and growth performance. Average cecal <i>Campylobacter</i> loads were numerically 7.7-fold lower (87% reduction) in the added Fe- and iP-free treatment relative to the control [4.90 × 10⁷ colony forming units (CFU)/g vs. 3.78 × 10⁸ CFU/g, respectively; <i>p</i>-value = 0.12]. In addition, the range in recorded loads of <i>Campylobacter</i> was wide in both treatments, but the upper end of the range was 1 log10 units lower in added Fe- and iP-free vs. control (2.97 × 109 vs. 2.45 × 1,010), which suggests a reduced upper limit of colonization and reduction in average <i>Campylobacter</i> levels. Although caution is warranted on the numerical results, we believe they should encourage further ideations, investigations, and larger scale applications in the future.