Campylobacter Control Campaign

Research programme

Science

Sampling, genomics, source attribution, intervention modelling and vaccine-informed prevention.

Overview

Science programme

CCC connects field sampling, laboratory microbiology, pathogen genomics, source attribution, intervention modelling and vaccine-informed prevention.

1

Sampling

Human, animal and environmental sampling to understand exposure, carriage and disease.

2

Genomics

Whole-genome sequencing, metagenomics and MAGs to characterise pathogens, reservoirs and AMR.

3

Attribution

Genomic and machine-learning approaches to identify likely sources of infection.

4

Interventions

Decision-support modelling to evaluate realistic control strategies in local settings.

5

Prevention

Upstream prevention, including animal vaccination and vaccine-antigen discovery where appropriate.

Programme in practice

Field, laboratory and analysis

Field setting in The Gambia Laboratory practical session Environmental exposure route

Sampling

One Health surveillance

CCC samples across human, animal and environmental interfaces. The goal is not simply to detect Campylobacter, but to understand transmission routes and identify the reservoirs and pathogen lineages most relevant to disease.

Genomics

Sequencing and metagenomics

Whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics will be used to characterise pathogen population structure, antimicrobial resistance, accessory genome variation and mixed microbial communities.

Isolate genomics

High-resolution population structure, AMR and source-attribution training data.

Metagenomics

Culture-independent detection and genome recovery from complex samples.

Metadata

Harmonised but locally adaptable metadata for cross-site comparison.

Analysis

Source attribution and modelling

CCC will combine genomic source attribution with Bayesian Belief Networks and local stakeholder knowledge. The aim is to move from surveillance to decision support: which interventions are plausible, acceptable and likely to reduce exposure?

Vaccines

Vaccine-informed prevention

CCC will explore how pathogen genomics can support upstream prevention, including animal vaccination where appropriate. Genomic surveillance can help prioritise reservoirs, lineages and antigens for future vaccine development, including glycoconjugate vaccine production capacity in Africa.

This section is a high-level programme summary. Specific vaccine-development activities and partners will be added once details are agreed.