This comprehensive review investigates the specific impact of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) on gastrointestinal health, focusing on its connection to post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). This review examines the pathogen’s pathophysiology, clinical implications and epidemiological trends using recent research and data to highlight its prevalence and association with PI-IBS. A detailed literature analysis synthesizes current research to illuminate Campylobacter’s long-lasting effects on gut microbiota and intestinal function. It provides a detailed analysis of the literature to shed light on C. jejuni’s long-term impact on gut microbiota and intestinal function. The findings suggest the need for multifaceted prevention and treatment approaches considering individual, microbial and epidemiological factors, thus contributing to a more nuanced understanding of PI-IBS following C. jejuni infection.

Background: Salmonella enterica remains a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide despite decades of advances in surveillance and control. Traditional interventions have targeted specific points in the food chain, yet recurrent outbreaks show that Salmonella exploits system-wide gaps and inconsistencies. Methods: This review synthesises recent evidence from epidemiology, experimental microbiology, and regulatory practice to evaluate how management decisions, from farm through processing, influence Salmonella risk in livestock-derived foods. Results: Poultry, pig, and cattle farms employ targeted measures, including rodent control, litter management, batch rearing, and secure feed storage, to reduce contamination. The greatest reductions in Salmonella prevalence occur when these measures are embedded in coherent farm-to-fork programmes. Future gains are likely to come less from novel interventions and more from rigorous implementation, integration, and the validation of existing tools, supported by high-resolution surveillance (including whole-genome sequencing) and prevention-focused management systems. Artificial intelligence can enhance control through real-time surveillance, predictive risk modelling, and targeted interventions informed by diverse farm data. Conclusions: Sustained progress in Salmonella control will depend on rigorously applying existing interventions, supported by high-resolution surveillance and prevention-focused management. Carefully governed AI can enhance real-time monitoring and risk prediction, but its value hinges on addressing data, cost, and regulatory challenges.

Campylobacter hepaticus is responsible for the emergence of Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) in commercial layer hens. Our experimental in vitro approach demonstrates that natural antimicrobial mixtures (AuraShield - As) can significantly inhibit (P < 0.0001) the growth and motility of C. hepaticus. The antimicrobial acted as a chemoattractant for the pathogen, an effect which is concentration-dependent and leads to reduced bacterial motility. The As reduced C. hepaticus invasion of chicken liver cells (LMH cells) by strengthening TEER. The As also modulates inflammatory responses (notably by lowering IL-8 expression via the NF-κB pathway) and enhances host cell defences. We demonstrate that the presence of As (0.5%) during the infection of LMH cells by C. hepaticus significantly mitigates oxidative stress by reducing the detectable levels of H₂O₂ released into the culture supernatants (P<0.0001). We also show that a reduced H₂O₂ level will not activate the NF-kB pathway, resulting in low levels of IL-8 orthologs expression. In vivo, As was able to significantly reduce (P=0.03) not only the number of C. hepaticus identified in the livers of the infected hens but also the number of liver lesions, while restoring the integrity of the intestinal barrier. These in vitro and in vivo findings present new opportunities for enhanced SLD management strategies that integrate dietary innovations with improved flock biosecurity. By adopting a holistic approach that combines dietary, environmental, and management interventions, producers may achieve more sustainable and effective outcomes in the ongoing battle against Campylobacter hepaticus and Spotty Liver Disease.

Organic acid blends are being explored as alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production because of their antimicrobial and microbiota-modulating properties. This study examined whether a subinhibitory concentration of AuraShield could stimulate Faecalibacterium prausnitzii-associated butyrate production while reducing colonisation by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni in an ex vivo chicken caecal model. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration assays identified 0.125% AuraShield as a subinhibitory dose. In whole caeca incubated for 24 h under microaerophilic conditions, AuraShield promoted F. prausnitzii growth and increased butyrate production. Co-incubation with F. prausnitzii reduced pathogen loads, and this effect was further enhanced by AuraShield. The treatment also reduced caecal expression of the inflammatory chemokines CXCLi1 and CXCLi2, as well as the oxidative stress marker ROMO1. In complementary co-culture experiments, AuraShield increased butCoA expression and stimulated butyrate release by F. prausnitzii in a dose-dependent manner. Comparative experiments with inulin showed that AuraShield promoted butyrate production and reduced pathogen growth at levels comparable to, or greater than, those of the prebiotic control. Overall, these findings suggest that AuraShield may support beneficial bacterial activity under ex vivo conditions. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm its potential under field conditions.

This study evaluated the anti-virulence effect of AuraAqua (Aq), a natural mixture of organic acids, against Pseudomonas. fluorescens. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Aq against P. fluorescens were 0.5% and 1% (v/v), respectively. Growth curve analysis confirmed concentration-dependent inhibition of planktonic growth, while sub-inhibitory Aq (0.25%; 1/2 MIC) significantly reduced biofilm formation. Rhodamine-based assays revealed membrane depolarisation at both 0.25% and 0.5% Aq, with decreased intracellular protein levels, indicating impaired membrane integrity under the tested conditions. In fibronectin adherence assays, the presence of Aq during bacterial contact markedly reduced adherence, whereas short pre-treatment alone produced limited, non-persistent effects, suggesting that continuous exposure is required to interfere with host matrix binding. Supernatants and lysates from Aq-exposed P. fluorescens induced lower extracellular protease activity in a concentration-dependent manner and mitigated P. fluorescens-induced cytotoxicity in primary shrimp (SGP) and tilapia (TGP) gut cells, as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release after exposure to bacterial supernatants and lysates. Aq treatment was associated with decreased P. fluorescens internalisation into SGP and TGP cells. Collectively, these data show that Aq exerts multi-target inhibitory and virulence-attenuating effects on P. fluorescens, supporting its potential use in aquaculture environments.