Antoine Nohra
Doctor of Philosophy
Study Completed: 2017
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Molecular epidemiological studies of Campylobacter isolated from different sources in New Zealand between 2005 and 2015
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Campylobacteriosis is a major health problem worldwide, therefore identifying sources and pathways of human campylobacteriosis is vital to enable development of infection control strategies and interventions. Mr Nohra analysed the genetic relatedness of the clinical C. coli isolates with isolates obtained from different sources in order to infer possible transmission pathways of this important, but under-studied pathogen. He assessed changes in the molecular epidemiology of C. jejuni following food safety interventions implemented by the New Zealand poultry industry. Modelling indicated chicken meat as the main source of C. jejuni human infection before the interventions; but after the interventions, ruminants and chicken meat became the main source of infection. His findings increased the awareness of the aetiology of C. coli infections and the change in the attribution of C. jejuni infections. In addition, his research provided invaluable insight for developing further strategies to reduce the total burden of human campylobacteriosis.
Supervisors
Dr Alex Grinberg
Dr Anne Midwinter
Dr Julie Collins-Emerson
Distinguished Professor Nigel French