ARS | Publication request: IDENTIFICATION AND MOVEMENT OF SALMONELLA SEROTYPES THROUGH INTEGRATED BROILER OPERATIONS

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 1, 2000
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Salmonella serotypes were identified from 26 sample types in 32 broiler operations from 4 states across 4 seasons. A total of 10,740 samples were analyzed for Salmonella. Overall, 973 of 10,740 (9.1%) of the samples were positive for Salmonella. From all sample types there were 36 different serotypes identified. Twelve different serotypes were found on processed carcasses. Of these, S. Thompson was the most frequently identified serotype (29 isolates) followed by S. Molade (4 isolates). Hatchery transport paper pads were the most frequently observed Salmonella positive sample, and 9 of 12 serotypes found on processed carcasses were also found on paper pads. S. Thompson, was the second most frequently observed serotype from the hatchery and was frequently observed in feces, litter and drag swab samples indicating that significant colonization of chicks likely occurred in the hatchery. S. Molade was not found in the hatchery or in any on-farm samples, but it was found in the pre-transport coop swabs suggesting that the chickens likely picked up this serotype during transport from the farm to the processing plant. All sample types had Salmonella and can potentially lead to colonization and contamination of broiler chickens, but the chicks and paper transport pads from the hatchery appeared to be the most frequent source of Salmonella.