A Five-Year Survey of the Incidence of Salmonellae in Avian Species

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During a 5-year survey, Salmonella organisms were isolated from 245 of a total of 4,454 consecutive consignments submitted for diagnostic investigation. A total of 34 Salmonella serotypes were identified during the study. Comparative summaries have been tabulated for each calendar yr from 1960-64. The sudden ascendancy of S. Chester during the summer of 1960 and its apparent absence since that time remains unexplained. The numerical incidence of S. typhimurium was higher than all other serotypes and identified in a greater variety of avian species. The recovery of a Salmonella organism only from the intestinal tract of chickens was recorded in 84 (78%) of the 108 positive consignments and 51 (70%) of the 73 positive turkey consignments. These findings indicate the importance of a routine bacteriological examination of the intestinal tract in any attempt to monitor the incidence of salmonellae in avian species.