Survey of Salmonella infection in Iranian poultry flocks

Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

    This research was conducted to study the Salmonella infection in Iranian poultry flocks and the related industry such as hatcheries and abattoirs. In this study, 150 breeder, layer, and broiler flocks, hatcheries, and abattoirs were sampled. All samples were dispatched to the laboratory and cultured for Salmonella isolation using standard procedures. In total, 23390 samples were collected and pooled to obtain 3202 samples that were cultured. All bacterial isolates that were identified as Salmonella by bacteriological cultures were tested for serogroup and serotype determination using Salmonella antisera available in the laboratory. In total, 123 (3.84%) Salmonella isolates were obtained from 3202 cultured pooled-samples. The most frequent Salmonella isolation occurred among samples from embryo mortalities and broilers, and the least isolation frequency was from breeder and layer flocks. Serology results showed that from 123 Salmonella isolates, 70 isolates (56.9%) belonged to serogroup D, 43 isolates (35%) belonged to serogroup C, 3 isolates (2.4%) belonged to serogroup B, and 7 isolates (5.7%) belonged to serogroups other than A-S. From 70 Salmonella serogroup D isolates, 69 were Salmonella Enteritidis. This study has provided enormous data regarding the Salmonella, in particular S. Enteritidis, infection in Iranian poultry flocks which are of utmost importance for both poultry industry and public health. 

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