Estimating the Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in Swine Herds – Influence of Sensitivity and Specificity of Salmonella Detection

Information about the proportion of truly Salmonella‐free herds is required for an evaluation of the epidemiological situation, the development of control strategies and their implementation. Findings regarding the presence of salmonellas in faeces and intestinal lymph nodes as well as the presence of Salmonella antibodies in meat juice from slaughtered pigs were obtained in the context of a study conducted by a number of institutes. These data were used for an analysis of the validity of data on the prevalence of infected animals within herds and on the prevalence of infected herds. The proportion of batches or herds with exclusively negative individual findings was found to depend not only on the true proportion of truly Salmonella‐free animals within herds but quite essentially also on the distribution of the proportion of infected animals within herds, the sensitivity of the methods of examination and sample sizes. When taking into account the existing dependencies, it was found that among the swine, the real numbers of Salmonella carriers were much higher than shown by bacteriological and serological examination. Regarding salmonellosis in swine, also a number of contaminated herds must be expected which is far higher than that shown by the number of herds with positive findings in at least one animal. Even a low contamination of all or almost all herds would result in the numbers of ‘negative’ batches observed, i.e. batches with exclusively negative individual findings. A rating of the salmonella exposure of herds as high, low, or very low is possible and may, and should be, used for measures of consumer protection, irrespective of the proportion of truly Salmonella‐free herds.     

Salmonella infections in swine herds--epidemiology and importance for human diseases]

Based on pertinent literature and research work performed by the authors, a report is presented on the presence of salmonellas in swine herds and the importance of these organisms as agents of disease in swine and source of infection for human salmonellosis. The share among human cases of salmonellosis which are caused by salmonellas originating from swine is estimated at ca. 20%. It has to be assumed that a very large proportion of swine herds is contaminated by Salmonella. Salmonellas may be introduced through infected pigs (parent animals, pigs from other herds added to the herd) or carriers among other animal species (e.g. rodent pests, birds) as well as by feeding stuffs with primary or secondary contamination. So far, the individual importance of the various routes cannot be reliably assessed. It appears that the level of Salmonella prevalence within a herd essentially depends on the hygienic conditions, the mode of keeping and the management of the animals. Serological examinations of meat juice permit conclusions as to the level of Salmonella contamination in slaughtered pigs. The results can thus be used for programmes to reduce the introduction of salmonellas into the food chain.     

Modelling Salmonella spread within a farrow-to-finish pig herd

Delivery of infected pigs to the slaughterhouse is a major source of pork meat contamination by bacterial hazards to humans. We propose a model of Salmonella spread within a farrow-to-finish pig herd, assuming the prevalence in infected delivered pigs depends on the whole pig life-time and growing process. This stochastic discrete-time model represents both the population dynamics in a farrow-to-finish pig herd using batch management, and Salmonella spread. Four mutually exclusive individual health states were considered: Salmonella-free, seronegative shedder, seropositive shedder and seropositive not shedding carrier, making the distinction between seropositive animals and shedders. Since indirect transmission is the main route of transmission, the probability of infection depends on the quantity of Salmonella in the pigs' environment (Q). A dose effect function is used with two thresholds, assuming saturation in exposure for high Q vs. a minimum exposure for low Q. Salmonella is introduced in an initially Salmonella-free 150-sow herd. Prevalence of shedders and seroprevalence are calculated over time in batches of sows and pigs, and in groups of delivered pigs, composed of pigs from different batches. The model shows very variable seroprevalence over time within a herd among delivered groups, as well as among replications. The mean seroprevalence and the mean shedding prevalence are 19.3% and 13.8% respectively. A sensitivity analysis shows that the Salmonella quantity shed and the maternal protective factor are the most influential parameters on Salmonella prevalence in delivered pigs.     

Salmonella Dublin infection in dairy cattle: risk factors for becoming a carrier

Long-term Salmonella Dublin carrier animals harbor the pathogen in lymph nodes and internal organs and can periodically shed bacteria through feces or milk, and contribute to transmission of the pathogen within infected herds. Thus, it is of great interest to reduce the number of new carrier animals in cattle herds. An observational field study was performed to evaluate factors affecting the risk that dairy cattle become carrier animals after infection with Salmonella Dublin. Based on repeated sampling, cattle in 12 Danish dairy herds were categorized according to course of infection, as either carriers (n = 157) or transiently infected (n = 87). The infection date for each animal was estimated from fecal excretion and antibody responses. The relationship between the course of infection (carrier versus transiently infected) and risk factors were analyzed using a random effect multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. The animals with the highest risk of becoming carriers were heifers infected between the age of 1 year and 1st calving, and cows infected around the time of calving. The risk was higher in the first two quarters of the year (late Winter to Spring), and when the prevalence of potential shedders in the herd was low. The risk also varied between herds. The herds with the highest risk of carrier development were herds with clinical disease outbreaks during the study period. These findings are useful for future control strategies against Salmonella Dublin, because they show the importance of optimized calving management and management of heifers, and because they show that even when the herd prevalence is low, carriers are still being produced. The results raise new questions about the development of the carrier state in cattle after infection with low doses of Salmonella Dublin.     

Development and application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies against prevalent Salmonella serovars in swine in southern Brazil.

The implementation of Salmonella control programs in the pork production chain demands rapid and cost-effective methods to assess the prevalence of infection in pig herds. The objective of the present study was to develop an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on S. Typhimurium lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to measure the prevalence of infection caused by Salmonella in swine herds. Coating antigen was produced by phenol extraction of S. Typhimurium culture. After standardization of ELISA test conditions, the assay was validated by testing serum samples on different animal categories: pigs orally inoculated with S. Typhimurium and sentinel animals in contact with them, naturally infected animals, colostrum-deprived piglets, and bacterin-immunized pigs. Seroconversion was observed in inoculated pigs (7 days postinfection [DPI]) and in the sentinels (21 DPI). Nonspecific reactions were not detected in the sera of colostrum-deprived animals. Serum samples from animals immunized with Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Derby, Salmonella Panama, and Salmonella Bredeney bacterins showed marked cross-reaction with the LPS from the serovar Typhimurium. Moreover, positive results obtained with the in-house ELISA were associated with Salmonella isolation in 75 infected pig herds. Comparisons with 2 commercial kits showed a linear correlation coefficient of 0.847 between the in-house ELISA and kit A and 0.922 with kit B but a low agreement in the qualitative results. In conclusion, the newly developed in-house ELISA based on S. Typhimurium LPS can be a useful tool to determine the intensity of Salmonella sp. infection in swine herds.     

Simulation model estimates of test accuracy and predictive values for the Danish Salmonella surveillance program in dairy herds

The Danish government and cattle industry instituted a Salmonella surveillance program in October 2002 to help reduce Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Dublin (S. Dublin) infections. All dairy herds are tested by measuring antibodies in bulk tank milk at 3-month intervals. The program is based on a well-established ELISA, but the overall test program accuracy and misclassification was not previously investigated. We developed a model to simulate repeated bulk tank milk antibody measurements for dairy herds conditional on true infection status. The distributions of bulk tank milk antibody measurements for infected and noninfected herds were determined from field study data. Herd infection was defined as having either >or=1 Salmonella culture-positive fecal sample or >or=5% within-herd prevalence based on antibody measurements in serum or milk from individual animals. No distinction was made between Dublin and other Salmonella serotypes which cross-react in the ELISA. The simulation model was used to estimate the accuracy of herd classification for true herd-level prevalence values ranging from 0.02 to 0.5. Test program sensitivity was 0.95 across the range of prevalence values evaluated. Specificity was inversely related to prevalence and ranged from 0.83 to 0.98. For a true herd-level infection prevalence of 15%, the estimate for specificity (Sp) was 0.96. Also at the 15% herd-level prevalence, approximately 99% of herds classified as negative in the program would be truly noninfected and 80% of herds classified as positive would be infected. The predictive values were consistent with the primary goal of the surveillance program which was to have confidence that herds classified negative would be free of Salmonella infection.     

Epidemiological investigations into the sources of Salmonella contamination of pork

This study was conducted to elucidate which phases of the pork production chain contribute to the Salmonella contamination on pork after slaughter. During 7 sampling days, samples were collected of randomly selected slaughter pigs and of pigs from selected Salmonella-infected and Salmonella-free herds, trucks, lairages, and slaughterlines, in two slaughterhouses. Salmonella genotypes, present on pork after slaughter, were compared with Salmonella types, present on the farm, in the truck, in the lairage, on slaughter equipment, and in pigs from other herds. Results showed that the slaughterline was the most important source of Salmonella contamination of carcasses. The farm was the most important source of contamination of livers, tongues, rectal samples and mesenterial lymphnodes, for pigs originating from sero-positive herds. The lairage was the most important contamination source for pigs originating from sero-negative herds, for all samples, except carcasses. It is recommended to avoid each direct or indirect contact between different herds along the whole pork production chain, especially between Salmonella-infected and Salmonella-free herds.     

Persistent fecal Salmonella shedding in five dairy herds

OBJECTIVE: To monitor patterns of Salmonella fecal shedding in naturally infected dairy herds, determine the association between fecal shedding and individual animal production measures, and evaluate potential risk factors for shedding of Salmonella organisms among cattle in dairy herds. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 5 Ohio dairy herds. PROCEDURE: For 3 herds, fecal samples were collected from all mature cows and unweaned calves 7 times during an 18-month period. For the remaining 2 herds, fecal samples were collected from 50 lactating cows 6 times during a 12-month period. Individual animal production records for 3 herds were used to examine associations between individual fecal Salmonella shedding status and 305-day mature-equivalent milk production, somatic cell count, milk fat content, and milk protein content. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test for associations between fecal shedding status and breed, lactation status, lactation number, and duration of lactation. RESULTS: None of the adult animals had clinical signs of salmonellosis, but prevalence of fecal Salmonella shedding at individual collection times ranged from 0 to 99% for cows and from 0 to 67% for unweaned calves. Mature cows were more likely to be shedding Salmonella organisms than were unweaned calves. Within herds, lactation status and duration of lactation for individual animals were associated with Salmonella shedding status. Salmonella fecal shedding status was not associated with individual cow production measures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that subclinical fecal Salmonella shedding can persist in dairy herds for up to 18 months with no measurable effects on health or production of individual cows.     

Distribution of Salmonella in tissues following natural and experimental infection in pigs

Clinical salmonellosis associated with Salmonella is increasingly reported in finishing swine. Since S. Typhimurium is often associated with these episodes and given that this serotype is among the most often reported in humans, we were interested to determine if various tissues and carcasses from animals coming from herds that were clinically affected were more likely to be contaminated by Salmonella compared to carcasses from animals raised in herds without any history of salmonellosis. Carcasses from animals from affected herds were significantly more contaminated by Salmonella while showing increased titers in antibodies directed against this bacterium. At the opposite, caecal contents and mesenteric lymph nodes from both groups of animals were similarly contaminated by Salmonella. In the second part of the study, we studied the persistence of the bacterium in various tissues after an experimental infection with S. Typhimurium. We found that, after the infection, Salmonella persisted for as many as 7 d in many extraintestinal tissues, while it was present in the feces of infected animals for all 14 d of the experiment. These findings indicated that carcasses from animals that experienced salmonellosis during their growth phase are more likely to be contaminated by this bacterium and that precautions must be taken in order to ensure that clinically affected animals should be kept on the farm for at least 7 d before being shipped for slaughter.     

Longitudinal study of Salmonella infection in Italian farrow-to-finish swine herds

A longitudinal study of Salmonella enterica infection was carried out in five Italian farrow-to-finish swine herds previously known to be infected by Salmonella. Five litters were randomly selected from each herd and in each litter six piglets were randomly selected and individually identified. Thus, the study included 30 pigs from each farm. At weaning, individual blood samples were collected for serological examination from all selected piglets and on the same day from all sows in the farrowing unit. Piglets were bled again at approximately 60, 90, 150, 210 and 270 days of life whereas the last blood sample was collected at slaughtering. In one of the herds, in which the duration of productive cycle was about 12 months, the last blood samples were collected at 350 days of life. With the same time scheduling, five pen pooled faecal samples were collected from each herd for bacteriological examination. At slaughtering, mesenteric lymph nodes were collected from each ear-tagged pig. Sero-prevalence (cut off S/P ratio 0.25) in sows varied from 93.8% to 100%. In four herds, sero-prevalence in piglets showed a similar profile with complete decline of maternal antibodies at day 60 and clear sero-conversion between day 90 and day 150. In one herd, sero-conversion was observed earlier and 56% of piglets were positive at day 90. The peak of sero-prevalence was observed between day 210 and day 270. Sero-prevalence at slaughtering varied from 66% to 100%. Salmonella was isolated from faecal samples in four of five herds. No Salmonella was isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes at slaughter in two of the herds. Culture prevalence from mesenteric lymph nodes in the other three herds ranged from 3.3% to 30%. This longitudinal study provides original information about epidemiological dynamics of Salmonella enterica infection in Italian swine herds in consideration of the unique extended fattening period typical of the Italian production.     

Bayesian estimation of true between-herd and within-herd prevalence of Salmonella in Danish veal calves

Specialised veal producers that purchase and raise calves from several dairy herds are potentially at high risk of delivering Salmonella-infected animals to slaughter. However, the true prevalence of Salmonella infected veal producing herds and the prevalence of infected calves delivered to slaughter from infected herds are unknown in Denmark. Due to uncertainties about test sensitivity and specificity, these prevalences are not straightforward to assess. The objective of this study was to estimate the within-herd- and between-herd prevalence of Salmonella in veal calves delivered for slaughter to abattoirs in Denmark. Furthermore, it was investigated to which extent the estimates differed between a setup using both serological tests and faecal culture, compared to just serological tests, and whether the applied sampling scheme in the national surveillance programme in Denmark was sufficient to establish high posterior estimates of freedom from infection in individual herds. We used Bayesian analysis to avoid bias as a result of fixed test validity estimates. Serological test results from 753 animals and faecal culture from 1233 animals from 68 randomly selected Danish veal producing herds that delivered more than 100 calves to slaughter per year were used to estimate the prevalences and estimates of freedom from Salmonella. Serological test results of 7726 animals from 185 herds were used to compare the difference in prevalence estimates between serology alone vs. faecal culture combined with serology. We estimated that 34-57% of specialised veal producing herds were infected with Salmonella. Within the infected herds, 21-49% of the animals were infected. Few herds obtained high posterior estimates for the probability of freedom from infection given the collected data, with only six of 68 herds obtaining posterior probability of being infected less than 10%. Furthermore, this study indicated that serology is sufficiently sensitive and specific to be used for estimating the prevalence of Salmonella-infected specialised veal producing herds.     

Evaluation of herd sampling for Salmonella isolation on midwest and northeast US dairy farms

Epidemiologic investigations of Salmonella infections in dairy cattle often rely on testing fecal samples from individual animals or samples from other farm sources to determine herd infection status. The objectives of this project were to evaluate the effect of sampling frequency on Salmonella isolation and to compare Salmonella isolation and serogroup classification among sample sources on 12 US dairy farms sampled weekly for 7-8 weeks. Three herds per state were enrolled from Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin based upon predefined herd-size criteria. Weekly samples were obtained from cattle, bulk tank milk, milk filters, water and feed sources and environmental sites. Samples were submitted to a central laboratory for isolation of Salmonella using standard laboratory procedures. The herd average number of cattle fecal samples collected ranged from 26 to 58 per week. Salmonella was isolated from 9.3% of 4049 fecal samples collected from cattle and 12.9% of 811 samples from other sources. Serogroup C1 was found in more than half of the samples and multiple serogroups were identified among isolates from the same samples and farms. The percentage of herd visits with at least one Salmonella isolate from cattle fecal samples increased with overall herd prevalence of fecal shedding. Only the three herds with an average fecal shedding prevalence of more than 15% had over 85% of weekly visits with at least one positive fecal sample. The prevalence of fecal shedding from different groups of cattle varied widely among herds showing that herds with infected cattle may be classified incorrectly if only one age group is tested. Testing environmental sample sources was more efficient for identifying infected premises than using individual cattle fecal samples.     

Salmonella Dublin infection in young dairy calves: transmission parameters estimated from field data and an SIR-model

In this study we used field data collected from October 2001 to January 2002 to estimate number of days of faecal excretion of Salmonella Dublin bacteria and time to seroconversion in infected calves below the age of 180 days. Based on these estimates all calves in four endemically infected dairy herds were grouped into the following infection states: susceptible (S), infectious (I) and resistant/recovered (R). Resistant calves had either acquired maternal antibodies through colostrum or they have recovered from previous infection and had a high level of antibodies directed against Salmonella Dublin possibly protecting them from becoming infected again until the level of antibodies had decreased to sufficiently low levels. Using the antibody measurements and faecal excretion periods, it was possible to assign the most likely infection state to each calf per week of the study period. Estimates of transmission parameter, beta, were obtained from a generalised linear model relating the number of new infections to the proportion of susceptible and infectious calves per week. From beta, the reproduction ratio R at steady state and the basic reproduction ratio R(0) were estimated for each herd and across herds. The R(0) denotes the average number of new infections caused by one infectious individual that is introduced to a fully susceptible population. The point estimates for R(0) ranged from 1.1 to 2.7 in the study herds. However, the confidence intervals were wide. Data were too limited to show possible significant differences in the parameters between the study herds. However, the tendency in the data suggested that there may be important differences. Across herds the R(0) was close to two suggesting that on average one infectious calf will produce two new infectious calves when introduced into a fully susceptible population under typical Danish dairy production systems. Further, the analyses indicated that environmental contamination from infectious calves plays an important role in transmitting Salmonella Dublin between calves.     

Salmonella serotypes present on a sample of Irish pig farms

A survey of the prevalence of Salmonella species infection was conducted on 59 Irish farrow-to-finish pig herds. Faecal samples were collected from the pens of first-stage weaners (growing pigs approximately three to 10 weeks of age), second-stage weaners (approximately 10 to 17 weeks of age) and fatteners, and from the dry sow and farrowing sow houses. The prevalence of infection was estimated to within 5 per cent with a 95 per cent confidence interval. Thirty of the 59 herds were infected, 12 with Salmonella Typhimurium only, eight with Salmonella Derby only and seven with both S Typhimurium and S Derby; serotypes London, Livingstone and Infantis were each isolated from a single herd. Farms in Ireland are assigned to one of three infection categories on the basis of the antibody levels in samples of meat juice taken at slaughter. When a herd was classified as either positive or negative on the basis of the isolation of Salmonella from at least one faecal sample there was no association between the herd's category as determined by meat juice serology and the probability of the isolation of Salmonella from the faecal samples. However, there were differences in prevalence between pigs at different stages of production in herds of different categories. Farrowing sow houses in moderately infected (category 2) herds had significantly lower infection rates (P < or = 0.05) than other herd categories and other stages of production. Pigs from first-stage weaner pens in slightly infected (category 1) herds were more likely to be infected with Salmonella than pigs at any other stage of production or category of herd.     

Bayesian zero-inflated predictive modelling of herd-level Salmonella prevalence for risk-based surveillance

The national control programme for Salmonella in Danish swine herds introduced in 1993 has led to a large decrease in pork-associated human cases of salmonellosis. The pork industry is increasingly focused on the cost-effectiveness of surveillance while maintaining consumer confidence in the pork food supply. Using national control programme data from 2003 and 2004, we developed a zero-inflated binomial model to predict which farms were most at risk of Salmonella. We preferentially sampled these high-risk farms using two sampling schemes based on model predictions resulting from a farm's covariate pattern and its random effect. Zero-inflated binomial modelling allows assessment of similarities and differences between factors that affect herd infection status (introduction), and those that affect the seroprevalence in infected herds (persistence and spread). Both large (producing greater than 5000 pigs per annum), and small herds (producing less than 2000 pigs per annum) were at significantly higher risk for infection and subsequent seroprevalence, when compared with medium sized herds (producing between 2000 and 5000 pigs per annum). When compared with herds being located elsewhere, being located in the south of Jutland significantly decreased the risk of herd infection, but increased the risk of a pig from an infected herd being seropositive. The model suggested that many of the herds where Salmonella was not detected were infected, but at a low prevalence. Using cost and sensitivity, we compared the results of our model based sampling schemes with those under the standard sampling scheme, based on herd size, and the recently introduced risk-based approach. Model-based results were less sensitive but show significant cost savings. Further model refinements, sampling schemes and the methods to evaluate their performance are important areas for future work, and these should continue to occur in direct consultation with Danish authorities.     

Evaluation of a covalent mix-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for screening of Salmonella antibodies in pig serum

In this study, a commercial Salmonella covalent mix-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological detection of Salmonella infection in swine was evaluated by comparing it with the conventional fecal culture method and inter-laboratory proficiency testing, using a panel of sera tested in 5 laboratories from Europe and North America. Comparison with culture results showed that 88.5% of 26 culture-positive animals were ELISA positive, as were 55% of 60 animals from 2 culture-positive pig herds. Of 90 animals from 2 high health farms with no clinical symptoms of salmonellosis, 98.9% tested negative. The interlaboratory comparison study found a kappa value of 0.9 between our laboratory (using an automated system) and the manufacturer laboratory (using the manual method). Comparison of ELISA results from all 5 participating laboratories showed very good to excellent agreement, between 85% and 97.5%. We found this assay to be useful for the screening of antibodies against Salmonella present in swine serum. It agrees well with bacterial cultures, is reproducible, sensitive, specific, repeatable, and suitable for automation.     

B cell and macrophage response in chicks after oral administration of Salmonella typhimurium strains

Despite the fact that, in a number of countries, vaccination programmes are extensively used to control Salmonella infection in poultry, information on the immune mechanisms, especially the cellular response, is still needed. The aim of the study was to characterise the B cell and macrophage response in caecum (IgA+, IgM+, IgG+ cells, macrophages), bursa of Fabricius (IgM+ cells, macrophages), and spleen (IgM+ cells) of chicks after oral administration of a non-attenuated Salmonella (S.) typhimurium wild-type strain (infection) or an attenuated commercial live S. typhimurium vaccine strain (immunisation) to day-old chicks as compared to non-treated control birds using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. In caecum, higher counts of IgM-secreting cells were detected in infected animals compared with the controls from day 5 until day 12 of age. In contrast, in treated groups, IgA-secreting cells were found in higher numbers only between day 8 and 12 of age. Infected birds showed a higher number of IgA+ cells in spleen and bursa of Fabricius compared to the controls. In the bursa of Fabricius of immunised and infected birds, a depletion of strongly stained IgM+ cells and macrophages was established between day 5 and 9 indicating a possibly special and independent role of this organ during the immunological reaction against Salmonella organisms. The results suggest that IgM- and IgA-secreting cells are of importance in the caecal immune response of chickens against Salmonella strains. Immunised chickens always showed a weaker immune reaction compared to infected animals. Present findings regarding the B cell reaction within avian caeca prove a participation of both humoral and cellular immunity in defence against Salmonella strains. Immunohistochemical examination of the cellular response (B cells and macrophages) in relevant organs of chickens may be an important tool to evaluate the immunogenic characteristics of potential Salmonella live vaccine candidates.     

Prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella spp in dairy herds

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence of Salmonella spp in Ohio dairy farms and to identify potential risk factors for fecal shedding of salmonellae. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 105 Ohio dairy farms. PROCEDURE: Individual fecal samples from all mature cows in study herds were tested for Salmonella spp by use of standard bacteriologic culture procedures. Herds were identified as infected if at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Information regarding herd characteristics, management practices, and health history were collected. Potential risk factors for herd-level Salmonella infection were identified. RESULTS: In 31% of the study herds (95% confidence interval, 22 to 40%), at least 1 cow was shedding Salmonella spp. Six percent of 7,776 fecal samples contained Salmonella organisms; prevalence within infected herds ranged from < 1 to 97%. Herd size, use of free stalls for lactating and nonlactating cows, and use of straw bedding in nonlactating cows were significantly associated with fecal shedding of Salmonella spp, as determined by use of univariate analysis. By use of multivariate analysis, large herds were more likely to be infected than smaller herds; however, no other factors were associated with Salmonella infection after adjustment for herd size. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical shedding of Salmonella spp is common in Ohio dairy herds, although we could not identify specific interventions that may influence the prevalence of Salmonella spp on dairy farms. It appears that large herd size and intensive management may provide an environment conducive to Salmonella shedding and chronic dairy herd infection.     

Salmonella enteritidis and other Salmonella in laying hens and eggs from flocks with Salmonella in their environment.

Seven Canadian layer flocks with Salmonella enteritidis in their environment were investigated to determine the numbers of hens infected with S. enteritidis, the localization of S. enteritidis in organs of infected hens and the numbers of S. enteritidis-infected eggs produced by two affected flocks. By a microagglutination test (MAT) using S. pullorum antigens, these flocks had more seropositive hens (mean 51.9 +/- 16.9%) than two Salmonella-free flocks (mean 13.0 +/- 4.2%). Culture of tissues of 580 hens (433 seropositive) from the seven flocks detected 26 (4.5%) S. enteritidis-infected hens from two flocks. In one flock, 2/150 hens were infected with S. enteritidis phage type (PT) 8, which was confined to the ceca, and no Salmonella spp. were isolated from 2520 eggs (one day's lay). In the second flock, where 24/150 hens were infected with S. enteritidis PT13, extraintestinal infection was found in nine hens and involved the ovaries and/or oviduct in two hens. Salmonella enteritidis PT13 was isolated from one sample of egg contents and from one sample of cracked shells from among 14,040 eggs (one day's lay) from this flock. The overall prevalence of S. enteritidis-contaminated eggs from the two flocks with infected hens was less than 0.06%. Other Salmonella spp. isolated were S. heidelberg from 58 hens (10%), and S. hadar, S. mbandaka and S. typhimurium from one hen (0.2%) each. The MAT with antigens of S. pullorum had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 24% for detecting S. enteritidis-infected hens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Investigations on the identification of risk factors for seroprevalences of Salmonella infections in breeding gilt rearing herds

The aim of this study in breeding gilt rearing herds was to identify production-specific risk factors for an increased Salmonella seroprevalence. The statistical analysis for determining risk factors based on 10,429 animals from 40 herds. Blood samples were taken regularly between 2001 and 2003 from gilts five and six months of age. Only those herds from which at least 60 samples per year and 10 per quarter were available were included in the statistical analysis of risk factors. For this, the results of the serological examinations were combined with data obtained from a questionnaire and subsequent visual examination of the herds and their environment. Different kinds of categories were validated using sensitivity analysis. Finally, all herds with a Salmonella seroprevalence < 0.15 were classified as "Salmonella low risk", and those with a Salmonella seroprevalence > or = 0.15 were classified as "Salmonella high risk". Four of the sixteen variables could be ascertained as risk factors for enhanced Salmonella seroprevalences: the use of pelleted or granulated feed, the use of purchased feed, partially or not slatted floors in the pens, a floor space of 0.85m2/pig and the freedom of PRRSV-infection in a herd. Some of these variables were identified as risk factors in earlier studies, too. The identification of these risk factors in pig herds of a breeding company with a low Salmonella seroprevalence, emphasises the importance of these factors for controlling Salmonella infections in pig herds.