'Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG)'
Doi
Abstract
This study is designed to determine Salmonella prevalence in organic poultry farms and slaughterhouse in three different regions with distinct seasonal characteristics. Salmonella strains were isolated from organic reared poultry farm environment (water, feed, and feces) and poultry meat
samples (neck skin and breast meat). Antibiotic resistance and 16S rRNA profiles were demonstrated
with alignment scores. Salmonella spp. prevalences according to regions were, 51 of 200 (25.50%)
samples taken from Region A, 77 of 200 (38.50%) samples taken from Region B, 105 of
200 (52.50%) samples taken from Region C. Serotyping of the strains revealed that S. Typhimurium
and S. Enteritidis are the most dormant strains among all strains. Antibiotic susceptibility of the
strains revealed that major resistance against ampicillin. This study is held for an awareness rising
about the possible impact of seasonality related with food borne pathogens prevalence.
Practical applications
Poultry meat and meat products account for approximately one-third of all Salmonella infections
in humans. The relation between environmental temperature and foodborne pathogens is a
complex matter, which has not been investigated widely and is hard to predict. The data
obtained in this study indicate a significant high prevalence in warm region, which may be evaluated as a possible key for environmental temperature effect on foodborne pathogens distribution in organically reared poultry. In addition, this study provides important information to show
the sources of contamination steps ranging from farm to fork in organically reared poultry