Campylobacter jejuni detection test: From the laboratory bench to the farm

Campylobacter is 1 of 4 key global causes of diarrhoeal diseases and is considered as the most common bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis in the world.

In the UK campylobacter is believed to be responsible for over 280,000 cases of food poisoning every year. About 80% of campylobacter food poisoning come from contaminated poultry (chicken).

Reduction of contamination at source (the farm) can greatly reduce the risk further down the food chain. Currently, detection of campylobacter contamination is carried out using laboratory-based techniques that require time, experienced personnel and specialised equipment.

There is an need for a rapid and simple test that can be carried out in the farm to isolate contaminated flock. This presentation will describe the journey from a laboratory test to on-site testing.

Speaker

Dr Jehanli graduated from Essex University in 1976 with a B.Sc. Honours degree in Biological Chemistry followed by a M.Sc. in Immunology from Birmingham University. He obtained his doctorate from the Department of Biochemistry, Bath University in 1980. 

Dr. Jehanli then spent 17 years as research scientist in different fields and localities, spanning Bath University, St. Georges Hospital Medical School and the National Heart & Lung Institute. In 1998, Dr. Jehanli moved to industry building up 22 years of experience in immunodiagnosis with particular emphasis on the development of point-of-care rapid tests.

Presently, Dr. Jehanli is the Technical Director at Soma Bioscience, a company specialising in the research and development of quantitative point-of-care tests. He has authored and co-authored over 70 publications and conference presentations and is the inventor and co-inventor of 11 worldwide patents.