Occurrence of Salmonella on poultry farms, in flocks of pigeons and feed monitored by the Department of Veterinary Hygiene in Olsztyn in the years 2014-2015

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of the occurrence of Salmonella and their serotypes on poultry farms, in flocks of pigeons, and feed monitored by the Department of Veterinary Hygiene in Olsztyn in the years 2014-2015. The quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted according to the requirements of Polish Standards. On the poultry farms 0.9% samples gave positive results and in 2015 the percentage of infected farms was 0.3% lower compared to 2014. S. Enteritidis serotypes were isolated from 0.2% samples from poultry farms and S. Typhimurium from 0.08%. These two most pathogenic serotypes were isolated three times more in 2014 (in 0.41% of cases). S. Enteritidis is the most frequently observed serotype (particularly in broiler chickens) and compared with the results of the previous years (2001-2005) in the same region, the number of cases of this serotype in broiler flocks decreased markedly. Next, there were S. Lexington, S. Kentucky, S. Typhimurium and S. Mbandaka. In 2015 the intensity of the occurrence of S. Enteritidis on farms decreased, and the percentage of positive results S. Enteritidis or S. Typhimurium was the same as in the case of S. Kentucky and S. Mbandaka. In pigeon flocks all isolates belonged to S. Typhimurium, accounting for 2.4%. In the case of feed, 1.34% of positive results were found (0.3% in blends for poultry). The implementation of EU programs to reduce Salmonella contributed to a significant reduction of infected poultry flocks and feed, but at the same time there is a greater variety of serotypes of Salmonella, which on account of their antibiotics resistance may pose a risk.