Salmonella contamination of poultry flocks in The Netherlands

The contamination of poultry in the Netherlands with Salmonella enteritidis was tested. For this, different methods (detection of S. enteritidis in faecal samples of 25 g; detection of S. enteritidis in cloacal swabs; detection of S. enteritidis by serological testing of antibodies in serum) were compared for their efficiency to detect S. enteritidis in flocks of poultry. Testing of faecal samples clearly yielded the best results. This method was used in a transmission study, in which 14 flocks descending from a contaminated primary mother flock were screened for the presence of S. enteritidis. The method was also used for screening 49 flocks of laying hens and 52 flocks of broiler chickens throughout the Netherlands. From the transmission study it became clear that S. enteritidis, phage type 2 (Dutch phage set) was isolated both from the mother flock and from five of the descendent flocks. Screening of poultry flocks for the presence of salmonella revealed that salmonella was present in 47% of the layer flocks and in 94% of the broiler flocks. S. enteritidis was isolated from 15% of the flocks screened.     

Salmonella in poultry flocks and humans--S. enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis in the past

After importing of breeder lines for laying flocks from Canada into the former GDR in 1966 the egg industry in this country was completely isolated from that in Western Germany or other Western European countries until opening the border in Germany in 1989. Because of this isolation from other countries, an analysis of the clonal diversity of Salmonella (S.) Enteritidis isolates originated from humans, chickens and food in the former GDR during the 1980s would provide a unique opportunity to obtain new insight into factors that may have triggered the S. Enteritidis epidemic. While isolates had previously been typed by the phage typing scheme of Lalko and Laszlo we applied for the first time the extended phage typing scheme by Ward for the retrospective analysis of the S. Enteritidis strains. Furthermore, isolates of phage type (PT) 4/6 (Ward / Lalko and Laszlo) from different livestocks were investigated by ribotyping. Although in total the PT4/6 dominated between 1986 and 1989 in poultry, other phage types have prevailed in the early 1980s and represented a considerable fraction of isolates until 1989. For instance, PT8/7 was isolated from one large layer farm (district Halle) from 1988 until 1989. During that time in another farm (district Cottbus) only PT8/7 was detected too. PT4/6 was isolated from neither of these two laying hen farms. The strains of PT4/6 could be distinguished by ribotyping in 19 different subtypes. The strains from the northern farms were distinct from those isolated in the southern regions. As farms which were harbouring either PT4/6 or PT8/7 had obtained laying hens from the same sources (breeder lines in Deersheim and Spreenhagen) it is highly probable that S. Enteritidis infection was acquired from the environment at each individual farm. This conclusion is also supported by the presence of different PT4/6 ribotypes in different farms. The presence of different phage types or PT4/6 ribotypes at different farms of laying hens suggests that in each case the S. Enteritidis strains present in the environment were able to enter chicken flocks.     

The valuation of poultry flocks

As flocks of laying birds are seldom sold in situ, it is necessary to value such flocks by estimating the sum for which a rational farmer would sell. It is argued that this is the sum for which the farmer would exchange the future consumption increments flowing from possession of the flock. The valuation method which follows the acceptance of this argument is applied to a standard (British) flock to derive a set of standard values for birds of different ages.     

Molecular epidemiology of avian influenza viruses circulating among healthy poultry flocks in farms in northern Vietnam

Repeated epizootics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 were reported from 2003 to 2005 among poultry in Vietnam. More than 200 million birds were killed to control the spread of the disease. Human cases of H5N1 infection have been sporadically reported in an area where repeated H5N1 outbreaks among birds had occurred. Subtype H5N1 strains are established as endemic among poultry in Vietnam, however, insights into how avian influenza viruses including the H5N1 subtype are maintained in endemic areas is not clear. In order to determine the prevalence of different avian influenza viruses (AIVs), including H5N1 circulating among poultry in northern Vietnam, surveillance was conducted during the years 2006-2009. A subtype H5N1 strain was isolated from an apparently healthy duck reared on a farm in northern Vietnam in 2008 and was identified as an HPAI. Although only one H5N1 virus was isolated, it supports the view that healthy domestic ducks play a pivotal role in maintaining and transmitting H5N1 viruses which cause disease outbreaks in northern Vietnam. In addition, a total of 26 AIVs with low pathogenicity were isolated from poultry and phylogenetic analysis of all the eight gene segments revealed their diverse genetical backgrounds, implying that reassortments have occurred frequently among strains in northern Vietnam. It is, therefore, important to monitor the prevalence of influenza viruses among healthy poultry between epidemics in an area where AIVs are endemic.     

Fertility disorders in dairy cows in northern Greece]

Housing conditions, parameters of fertility and occurrence of different types of infertility in a group of 1641 breeding cattle are described. Biochemical parameters of blood serum from 150 infertile cows suffering from endometritis and treatment results regarding a possible relation between nutrition and infertility of the animals are reported, as well as results of treatment of endometritis using several methods in 147 infertile cows. The results show that hormonal disorders are the most common reasons of infertility and low concentrations of beta-Carotene are the most common reasons of nutrition deficiency resulting from an insufficient quantity of fresh fodder. It can be suggested that low concentration of beta-Carotene may be related to hormonal disorders.     

Frequent human‐poultry interactions and low prevalence of Salmonella in backyard chicken flocks in Massachusetts

The backyard chicken (BYC) movement in the USA has increased human contact with poultry and subsequently, human contact with the pathogen Salmonella. However, to date, there have been few studies assessing prevalence of Salmonella in backyard flocks, despite the known public health risk this zoonotic bacterium poses. The objective of this study was to characterize human‐BYC interactions and assess the prevalence of Salmonella among BYC flocks. We interviewed 50 BYC owners using a structured questionnaire to determine flock and household characteristics that facilitate contact with BYC and that may be associated with Salmonella in the BYC environment. Composite faecal material, cloacal swabs and dust samples from 53 flocks housed on 50 residential properties in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area were tested for Salmonella using standard culture techniques and confirmed using Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization‐Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer. Microbroth dilution and whole genome sequencing were used to determine phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles, respectively, and sequence results were used to determine multilocus sequencing type. No owners self‐reported a diagnosis of salmonellosis in the household. Over 75% of a subset of owners reported that they and their children consider BYC pets. This perception is evident in how owners reported interacting with their birds. Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Kentucky ST152 (serogroup C)—a strain not commonly associated with human infection—was confirmed in one flock, or 2% of tested flocks, and demonstrated resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin. We detected Salmonella at low prevalence in BYC. Further study of the health effects of exposure to zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens such as Salmonella among families with BYC is warranted.     

Risk factors for Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica infection in senegalese broiler-chicken flocks

Our objective was to assess the association of managerial practices, general hygiene and Salmonella infection in Senegalese broiler flocks. Seventy broilers farms were studied from January 2000 to December 2001 around Dakar. A questionnaire was submitted to the farmers and samples of fresh broiler droppings were taken. A 28.6% of the flocks were infected by Salmonella (mainly Hadar and Brancaster serovars). Salmonella infection of the previous flock (OR=6.82) and of day-old chicks (OR=3.73), frequent poultry farmers’ visits (OR=5.38) and keeping sick birds inside the farm (OR=5.32) increased the risk of Salmonella infection. But, using antibiotics on day-old chicks (OR=0.17) and a detergent for cleaning (OR=0.16) decreased the risk.     

预防鸡群出现梭菌类肠炎

梭菌类肠炎会危害肉鸡肠道健康并造成相当大的经济损失。此病由产气荚膜梭菌所引起,全世界都有流行。如何应对这种疾病是家禽业一个长久的挑战。以专用产品维持肠道菌群(微生物体系)正常是有效的预防措施。     

Infectious bronchitis virus serotypes in poultry flocks in Jordan

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes respiratory disease in chickens all over the world. IBV has many serotypes that do not confer cross protection against each other. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test has been used to determine the serotypes of IBV as a substitute to the more laborious virus neutralization test and the more sophisticated restriction endonuclease digestion or sequencing of the S1 gene. In Jordan, no previous studies have been carried out to determine the involvement of IBV in respiratory disease in chickens, or the serotypes of IBV that possibly exist. In this study, serum from different chicken flocks (n = 20) that suffered from respiratory disease were tested for IBV antibodies using commercial IBV antibody ELISA at time of the initial signs of the respiratory disease and repeated on serum samples from the same flocks 10–14 days later. ELISA titer for IBV increased in 14 out of 20 flocks (70%) after 10–14 days of the initial signs of the respiratory disease and this indicates a recent exposure to IBV. The second serum samples from these 14 flocks were further examined against a panel of five IBV antigens (Ark, Conn, DE-072, JMK, and Mass) by HI test to determine the serotype(s) of IBV they have been exposed to. The HI test results indicated that the exposure of some of these flocks were to Ark, DE-072, and Mass like serotypes. However, the HI titers against the antigens used in this study were relatively similar in 10 out of the 14 flocks (71%) and the serotype of IBV that these flocks were exposed to could not be determined and the possible causes of this are discussed.     

Plasmid analysis and epidemiology of Salmonella enteritidis infection in three commercial layer flocks.

Ninety-six S. enteritidis isolates obtained from three commercial layer flocks in 1988-90 were examined following DNA extraction, restriction enzyme digestion, and gel electrophoresis for plasmid size profiles and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). The S. enteritidis isolates from the three flocks had three, eight, and two different plasmid profiles, respectively. Only four isolates from one flock lacked plasmids. A 36-megadalton (mDa) (54-kilobase) plasmid was present in 73% of the isolates, either alone or in combination with other plasmids. Isolates with only the 36-mDa plasmid had identical RFLPs. The diversity of plasmid profiles was greater than that of phage-types among isolates from the three flocks: 12 unique plasmid profiles vs. four phage-types. Mixed infections with S. enteritidis strains having distinct plasmid profiles occurred in all three flocks. Reinfection of these flocks in 1990 with one or more of the strains obtained earlier was evident, because some of the original isolates and the 1990 isolates had matching plasmid profiles and were of the same phage-types. Isolates from both environmental and tissue samples, examined from one flock, were found to share the same plasmid profile and phage-type.     

Specified pathogen-free poultry flocks: the current situation

Before the implementation of strategies to establish specified pathogen-free commercial poultry flocks, the ultimate goals need to be identified: 1) consumer protection by minimizing the risk for zoonotic diseases and food-borne pathogens, and/or 2) animal health protection against primary and secondary pathogens. The success for the establishment of specific pathogen-free poultry flocks depends on the biological characteristics, the epidemiological distribution and the transmission route of each pathogen. For zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni or the high pathogenic avian influenza virus, eradication has to be ultimate goal. Despite tremendous control efforts in field, only partial control of these pathogens has been achieved so far. In the future it will be necessary to continue these eradication efforts by combining optimized hygiene programs at all production levels with intensive monitoring and immunoprophylaxis. For primary pathogens affecting the health condition of poultry without known zoonotic potential, such as Salmonella Gallinarum, avian Mycoplasma or leucosis virus, specified pathogen free flocks have been established on the parent and grandparent level. In order to achieve a status free of these pathogens, rigid hygiene control, especially on the hatchery level and monitoring programs combined with elimination of pathogen- and antibody-positive birds were implemented. Nevertheless, the economically most important diseases of modern poultry production are of multifactorial origin. Ubiquitous secondary pathogens in combination with insufficient management or immunosuppressive agents induce great economic losses for the poultry producers. These secondary pathogens can not be eliminated due to their ubiquitous distribution. In the future only a reduction of these factorial diseases will be possible combining hygiene management and optimization of poultry husbandry. For the establishment of specified pathogen free poultry flocks in the field, risk analysis is necessary and the structure of poultry production has to be considered before and eradication program can be carried out successfully.     

A temporal study of Salmonella serovars from environmental samples from poultry breeder flocks in Ontario between 1998 and 2008

A temporal study was carried out to determine Salmonella prevalence, trends, major serovars, and their clusters from environmental samples, in poultry breeder flocks in Ontario between January 1998 and December 2008. Surveillance data were obtained from the Ontario Hatchery and Supply Flock Policy. Logistic regression with a random effect for flock was used to identify factors [poultry type, year (trend) and season] associated with the prevalence of Salmonella. A cluster detection test was used to identify clusters of common serovars. The period prevalence of Salmonella was 47.4% in broiler-breeder, 25.7% in layer-breeder, and 19.6% in turkey-breeder flocks. The overall trend in the prevalence of Salmonella was decreasing for all breeder types, due primarily to decreasing trends of Salmonella Heidelberg. The seasonal effects varied by year with the highest probability of Salmonella occurring in different seasons. The 4 most common serovars identified were Salmonella Heidelberg, Kentucky, Hadar, and Typhimurium in broiler-breeders; Salmonella Heidelberg, Brandenburg, Thompson, and Typhimurium in layer-breeders; and Salmonella Heidelberg, Saintpaul, Brandenburg, and Muenster in turkey-breeders. Salmonella Enteritidis was infrequently isolated in all poultry breeder types. Temporal clusters of different serovars were identified in all poultry breeder types. Clusters of Salmonella Heidelberg, Typhimurium, and Hadar from environmental samples from breeder flocks were detected during a similar period to clusters from hatchery fluff samples from the same population. Therefore, interventions at the breeder flock-level might help to reduce transmission of Salmonella from breeder flocks to hatcheries and possibly, to lower levels of the poultry production chain.     

Campylobacter colonization in poultry: sources of infection and modes of transmission

Since its recognition as a human pathogen in the early 1970s, Campylobacter jejuni has now emerged as the leading bacterial cause of food-borne gastroenteritis in developed countries. Poultry, particularly chickens, account for the majority of human infections caused by Campylobacter. Reduction or elimination of this pathogen in the poultry reservoir is an essential step in minimizing the public health problem; however, farm-based intervention measures are still not available because of the lack of understanding of the ecological aspects of C. jejuni on poultry farms. Although Campylobacter is highly prevalent in poultry production systems, how poultry flocks become infected with this organism is still unknown. Many investigations indicate that horizontal transmission from environmental sources is the primary route of flock infections by Campylobacter. However, some recent studies also suggest the possibility of vertical transmission from breeder to progeny flocks. The transmission of the organism is not well understood, but it is likely to be through both vertical and horizontal transmission and may be affected by the immune status of the poultry host and the environmental conditions in the production system. Intervention strategies for Campylobacter infection in poultry should consider the complex nature of its transmission and may require the use of multiple approaches that target different segments of the poultry production system.