Detection and characterization ofSalmonella typhimurium from a dairy herd in North Dakota

Nasal secretions, faecal samples and buffy coats were obtained from 102 cattle from a North Dakota dairy herd with a history of calf scours. Treated buffy coats, faecal samples and nasal secretions were inoculated into tetrathionate broth (TB), incubated at 37°C overnight, and plated onto brilliant green agar medium with novobiocin (BGAN). The TB was left at room temperature for 5 days and then used to inoculate fresh TB. The fresh TB was incubated at 37°C over night and plated onto BGAN medium. All the plates were incubated at 37°C over night and observed forSalmonella-like growth. Suspect colonies were further tested andSalmonella isolates were serotyped by the National Veterinary Services laboratory. Twenty-two of the 36 calves sampled harbouredS. typhimurium in their faeces, but no samples from cows were positive. NoSalmonella were isolated from the buffy coats, but 4 calves were shown to haveSalmonella in their nasal secretions. Extended enrichment of the faecal cultures in TB resulted in a significant increase inSalmonella isolations, although 2 samples were positive following the initial enrichment period and not after secondary enrichment. The typicalSalmonella isolate detected from this herd contained a transmissible R-plasmid encoding resistance to tetracycline, kanamycin, sulphisoxazole and ampicillin. This study confirmed that delayed secondary enrichment in TB is superior to primary enrichment for detection ofSalmonella from cattle.Abbreviations Ap ampicillin - BGAN brilliant green agar with novobiocin - Cm chloramphenicol - DSE delayed secondary enrichment - Gn gentamicin - Kn kanamycin - NA nalidixic acid - NADC National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa - NVSL National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa - PB polymyxin B - PE primary enrichment - Sm streptomycin - Su sulphisoxazole - TB tetrathionate broth - Tc tetracycline - TSI triple sugar iron agar