Campylobacter spread and antibiotic resistance

Research indicates that the intensification of global poultry production has facilitated the spread and evolution of Campylobacter bacteria. A study of nearly 2,800 bacterial genomes across 30 countries found that increased chicken numbers—which have risen seven-fold since the 1960s—create conditions for bacterial mixing and the acquisition of antimicrobial-resistance traits. Senior author Sam Sheppard described intensive poultry farms as a “cauldron of bacterial evolution.”

This evolution poses a significant global health threat, as Campylobacter is a leading cause of bacterial diarrhoea and a widespread zoonosis. In Europe, it accounts for an average of 246,000 annual cases, with poultry farming responsible for 20-30% of these infections. The rapid development of antibiotic resistance through DNA mutations and horizontal gene transfer makes the misuse of antibiotics a critical driver of the crisis. To manage these risks, experts and the European Food Safety Authority emphasize strict hygiene, thorough cooking of poultry, and continuous monitoring of food contamination.