Thesis supervisor: Károly Dublecz
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Keszthely Abbreviation of location of studies: KE
Description of the research topic:
Campylobacter is the most reported gastrointestinal bacterial pathogen in humans in the European Union and chicken meat is a significant source of this bacteria. To date, most strategies to reduce Campylobacter colonization in chickens under farm conditions have not been effective. The aim of this research is to get more understanding on the effects of soluble dietary fibers and their fermentation products on the Campylobacter colonization in the small intestine and ceca of broiler chickens. Since the soluble fibre of oats and wheat affects the digestion, the gut barrier function and the microbiota composition of birds, next generation sequencing will be used also to investigate the interactions between the commensal microflora and Campylobacter jejuni in the jejunal mucosa and in the ileal and cecal contents. Very complex gut physiological evaluation will be done, including the determination of nutrient digestibilities and the production traits. Animal trials are constrained by ethical considerations; therefore, we are going to also establish an in vitro gut system that simulates the gut microbiota, enabling us to examine the effects of diet composition and different feed additives on the microbiota under controlled experimental conditions.
The Institute of Physiology and Animal Nutrition of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Keszthely and the Poultry Clinic of Vetmeduni Vienna have built up a strong interaction in the previous years. In the frame of two cross-border projects common research and advisory work has been done in both Austria and Hungary. Several student and expert exchange programs have been carried out, conferences, workshops and three common summer schools were organized on the field of poultry nutrition and poultry health.
The main research areas were the interaction between nutrition (feed additives, oligosaccharides, protein quality) and the colonization of different pathogens (Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni). The common work has been running for almost 10 year and during this period several high-ranking common papers have been published. We are now applying for a joint project that will combine the expertise of the two institutions to provide insights into the triangle: bacterium-diet-host relationship. The proposed experiments are designed to address fundamental gaps in current knowledge. Elucidating the mechanisms by which some dietary soluble fiber can affect C. jejuni colonization in the ceca and small intestine. It should help to identify suitable options for improving host resistance and thereby decreasing the load of this pathogen in chickens, with a substantial impact on human health.
Required language skills: angol Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2021-05-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
Login
