Prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Shiga-Toxin Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) among Living Poultry in Tulkarm by Culture and PCR.

Abstract

Salmonella and Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causing avian salmonellosis and colibacillosis are considered to be the major bacterial diseases in the poultry industry world-wide, causing heavy economic losses through mortality and reduced production. Colibacillosis and salmonellosis are the most common avian diseases that are communicable to humans. The morbidity and mortality associated with several recent outbreaks due to Salmonella and STEC have highlighted the threat that these organism poses to public health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella and STEC in living broiler chicken by using cultural and molecular techniques. Two hundred cloacal samples were collected during the period of April 2017 to November 2017 from four different broiler chicken farms in Tulkarm district, Palestine. Salmonella and STEC isolates were identified by chromogenic culture media and PCR targeting pathogen-specific genes ( invA, stx1 and stx2). Results of this study showed that the overall prevalence of Salmonella and STEC by chormogenic XV culture media was 14% (28/200) and 47% (94/200) using HiCrome Salmonella improved agar and HiCrome EC O157:H7 agar, respectively; while it was found to be 12.5% (25/200) and 6.5% (13/200) by using invA PCR and stx1-PCR, respectively. However, infection levels were found to be different among the four investigated farms. Moreover, concurrent infections with both pathogens was found be very low. Thus we conclude that infection with Salmonella and STEC among broiler chicken in Palestine is high by using either cultural or PCR techniques, however, it is important for accurate detection of both Salmonella and STEC to combine both of them. Such high prevalence of Salmonella and STEC poses high risk to the public health as well as for the poultry farming sector.