The birds were divided into two groups: (1) negative
control group (no infection), (2) infected group (birds were
infected with Campylobacter reference strain NCTC 12744
with a dose of 1 108 CFU/bird orally via feeding tube at 14
days of age). The animal experiment was discussed and
approved by the institutional ethics committee under the
license number GZ 68.205/247-II/10b/2009. All husbandry
practices and euthanasia were performed with full
consideration of animal welfare