Egg penetration by Campylobacter jejuni.

Hens eggs were immersed in suspensions of Campylobacter jejuni (4 strains) and examined for penetration and infection. Penetration was demonstrated using an egg moulding technique and by culture. C. jejuni was recovered from shell membranes, but not from the albumin or yolk. Embryonic deaths were not significantly greater in test than control eggs. Unlike a strain of Salmonella virchow, which was used as a control, the C. jejuni strains did not survive for more than 6 hours after penetration. It is concluded that transmission of C. jejuni to broiler birds via eggs is highly improbable.