Prevalence and diversity of Salmonella isolated from layer farms in central Ecuador

Resumen

<ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Background:</ns3:bold> Given the considerable role played by <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> in the incidence of food poisoning around the world, surveillance of this infection is prioritized by both food producers and health care authorities. Data remains insufficient concerning the prevalence of <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> in poultry systems in Ecuador and in Latin America in general. </ns3:p> <ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods:</ns3:bold> In this study we evaluated the prevalence and diversity of <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> serovars in samples taken from 21 layer farms and backyard layers in central Ecuador during August-November 2017. <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> was isolated following standardized methods (ISO 6579) and the serovar determination was carried out by PCR. </ns3:p> <ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Results:</ns3:bold> A significant presence of <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> was detected, with an incidence of 76% (95% confidence interval (CI): 58–94) in farms, 33% (95%CI: 13–53) in pooled cloacal swabs from layer hens, 33% (95%CI: 12–55) on feed samples, and 10% (95%CI: 0–22) in backyard layer feces from traditional local markets. The dominant serovars detected were <ns3:italic>S.</ns3:italic> Infantis and <ns3:italic>S.</ns3:italic> Typhimurium. </ns3:p> <ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Conclusions:</ns3:bold> This study forms a basis for further surveillance of <ns3:italic>Salmonella</ns3:italic> serovars in layer farms in central Ecuador. </ns3:p>