Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium isolated from hen eggs and quail eggs in Karaj, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Different Salmonella serotypes are considered one of the most important food pathogens in the world. Poultry meat and eggs are the primary carriers of Salmonella in human populations. This study aimed to estimate the Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium contamination rates of retail hen and quail eggs in Karaj, Iran. Moreover, the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the strains were evaluated, and the efficiency of the standard culture method and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study over 1 year (Jan-Dec 2022), 150 commercial and 150 backyard hen eggs and 300 commercial quail eggs, without cracks and fractures, were collected randomly from best selling groceries in Karaj city. All samples were examined for Salmonella contamination independently by standard culture and m-PCR approaches. A standard disc diffusion method was employed to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains against 18 antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: Out of 300 examined eggs, 2 S. enteritidis strains were isolated from the shell of backyard hen eggs. The same serotype was also detected in the contents of one of these two eggs. One S. typhimurium was isolated from the shell of a commercial hen egg. Overall, the Salmonella contamination of the shell and contents was 1% and 0.3%, respectively. Salmonella was not isolated from the eggshells or the contents of the quail eggs. There was complete agreement between the results of m-PCR and the standard culture methods. Among the 18 tested antibiotics, the highest resistance was recorded for colistin (100%), followed by nalidixic acid (75%). CONCLUSION: As most Salmonella spp. are associated with human food poisoning, continuous surveillance is required to effectively reduce the risk posed by contaminated poultry eggs. Furthermore, mandatory monitoring of antimicrobial use on Iranian poultry farms is recommended.

Effective Microorganisms (EM) Improve Internal Organ Morphology, Intestinal Morphometry and Serum Biochemical Activity in Japanese Quails under Clostridium perfringens Challenge.

The effect of effective microorganisms (EM) on internal organ morphology, intestinal morphometry, and serum biochemical activity in Japanese quails under Clostridium perfringens challenge was determined. After 30 days of EM addition, one group of quails was orally inoculated with Clostridium perfringens. The second group did not receive EM and was inoculated with C. perfringens. In the gut, EM supplementation reduced the number of lesions, enhanced gut health, and protected the mucosa from pathogenic bacteria. EM showed an anti-inflammatory effect and fewer necrotic lesions in villi. In the internal organs, EM showed a protective effect against a typical lesion of C. perfringens infection. Necrosis and degeneration of the hepatocytes, necrosis of bile ducts, and bile duct proliferation were more severe in the infected group without EM. Morphometric evaluation showed significantly higher villi in the jejunum after EM addition. A greater crypt depth was observed in the C. perfringens group. Biochemical analysis of the blood indicated lower cholesterol on the 12th day of the experiment and between-group differences in total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin levels in the EM group. Further studies are needed to improve EM activity against pathologic bacteria as a potential alternative to antibiotics and to develop future natural production systems.

Antimicrobial interventions to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter populations and improve shelf life of quail carcasses.

Quail (Coturnix japonica) is processed and marketed as fresh meat, with limited shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial interventions during slaughter on reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter contamination and to determine the microbiological shelf life of quail during refrigerated (4°C) storage. Three antimicrobials, peracetic acid (400 ppm; PAA), Citrilow (pH 1.2), and Cecure (cetylpyridinium chloride [CPC], 450 ppm), along with a water and no-treatment control were evaluated. Quail carcasses (n = 75) were inoculated with a cocktail of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium and gentamicin-resistant Campylobacter coli. After 30 min of attachment time, quail carcasses were submerged in each antimicrobial solution for 20 s with air agitation. Noninoculated quail carcasses (n = 25) were similarly treated, packaged, and stored under refrigeration (4°C). Aerobic plate counts (APC), psychrotroph counts (PC), Enterobacteriaceae counts (ENT), total coliform counts (TCC), and Escherichia coli counts on quail carcasses were determined on 1, 4, 7, and 10 d. Salmonella and Campylobacter populations were determined by plating on Petrifilm APC supplemented with 200-ppm nalidixic acid and Campy Cefex agar supplemented with 200-ppm gentamycin, respectively. No significant reductions in (P > 0.01 log cfu/mL) in APC, PC, ENT, TCC, and E. coli counts were observed on carcasses submerged in water. However, treatments with PAA, Citrilow, and CPC significantly reduced (P ≤ 0.05) Salmonella and Campylobacter coli contamination. Citrilow showed greater (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in Salmonella and Campylobacter population (1.90 and 3.82 log cfu/mL reduction, respectively) to PAA and CPC. Greater (P ≤ 0.05) reductions in APC, PC, ENT, TCC, and E. coli counts (2.22, 1.26, 1.47, 1.52, and 1.59 log cfu/mL, respectively) were obtained with the application of CPC. Application of antimicrobial interventions resulted in a reduction in Campylobacter and Salmonella, APC, PC, and ENT populations after treatments (day 0) and throughout the storage period (day 10). Use of antimicrobial interventions after slaughter can improve the microbiological safety and shelf life of quail.

Metabolomic LC-MS/MS analyses and meta 16S rRNA gene analyses on cecal feces of Japanese rock ptarmigans reveal fundamental differences between semi-wild and captive raised individuals.

Ex situ conservation of Japanese rock ptarmigans began in 2015 with the aim of reintroducing artificially raised birds into their original habitat. However, the current raising method in captivity seems insufficient in terms of the survivability of artificially raised birds in natural conditions. Feeding management is one potential reason for such insufficiency. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the hydrophilic metabolites by LC-MS/MS for the cecal feces of Japanese rock ptarmigans under in situ and ex situ conservation to reveal their gut chemical environment. We also analyzed the developmental processes of cecal microbiomes both in situ semi-wild and ex situ captive individuals. Metabolites of nucleic acid were rich in the in situ individuals, and free amino acids were rich in the ex situ individuals. The differences in the microbiome composition between in situ and ex situ individuals were also pronounced; major genera of in situ individuals were not detected or few in ex situ individuals. The alpha diversity of the cecal microbiome of semi-wild chicks at 1 week of age was almost the same as that of their hens, while it was very low in captive individuals. Sub-therapeutic use of oxytetracycline, a diet rich in protein and energy, and isolation from adult birds are considered to be causes for these great differences in gut chemical and microbiological environment between in situ and ex situ individuals.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) mRNA expression in chicken and quails in response to bacterial stress.

Monitoring of acute phase proteins such as serum amyloid A at gene expression level may provide quick information about immune status of the host and its susceptibility towards common infections. Present study was carried out to evaluate and compare the mRNA expression of SAA gene in Rhode Island Red chicken (RIR) and Japanese quails using real time PCR analysis in response to inactivated Salmonella gallinarum culture. The results showed that expression of SAA gene was approximately 17-33 folds higher in case of birds administered with bacterial culture when compared to un-inoculated controls and expression was higher and quicker in case of quails than RIR chicken. The SAA genes from chicken and quail were cloned and upon sequence analysis it was observed that deduced amino acid sequence of SAA from chicken and quails were having approximately seven percent variation which might have significance in function of this protein in these species.

Influence of Pichia pastoris X-33 produced in industrial residues on productive performance, egg quality, immunity, and intestinal morphometry in quails.

This study was conducted in quails to evaluate the probiotic potential of Pichia pastoris X-33, cultivated in parboiled rice effluent supplemented with biodiesel glycerol or in standard medium Yeast Extract-Peptone-Dextrose (YPD). Forty-days-old female quails were divided into three treatments: T1 (Control) received a basal diet without P. pastoris; T2 (Pichia Effluent) received a basal diet supplemented with P. pastoris grown in parboiled rice effluent and biodiesel glycerol, and T3 (Pichia YPD) received a basal diet supplemented with P. pastoris produced in YPD. The birds were vaccinated against Newcastle Disease (NDV), Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IBV), and Gumboro Disease on days 1 and 28. The following parameters were analyzed: performance, egg quality, humoral immune response to the vaccines, organ weight, and intestinal morphometry. P. pastoris grown in YPD increased egg weight (p < 0.05). The lowest liver weight on day 14 was obtained in Pichia Effluent, whereas both P. pastoris supplemented groups had the lowest duodenum weights on day 14. Besides that, livers and duodenums presented no morphological changes in any of the three treatments. Supplementation of P. pastoris modulated the immune system of the birds, increasing anti-IBV, anti-NDV, and anti-Gumboro antibodies levels compared to the Control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, quail's immune response was improved by Pichia pastoris X-33, either it was grown in YPD or industrial residues, and the egg weight increased with Pichia pastoris X-33 grown in YPD, thereby demonstrating to be a promising probiotic for poultry.

Role of coprophagy in the cecal microbiome development of an herbivorous bird Japanese rock ptarmigan.

The transgenerational maintenance of symbiotic microbes that benefit host nutrition and health is evolutionarily advantageous. In some vertebrate lineages, coprophagy is used as a strategy for effectively transmitting microbes across generations. However, this strategy has still not been studied in birds. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of maternal cecal feces consumption by Japanese rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta japonica) chicks as a strategy for acquiring essential gut microbes. Both the duration of coprophagy behavior by the chicks and the development process of the chick cecal microbiome (n=20 one- to three-week-old chicks, from three broods) were investigated. In all three broods, coprophagy behavior was only observed from 3 to 18 days of age. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the number of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in 1-week-old chicks (n=651) and adults (n=609), and most of the main OTUs observed in the adults were already present in the 1-week-old chicks. These results indicate that, in this precocial bird species, coprophagy may contribute to the early establishment of cecal bacteria that are essential for food digestion and, thus, chick survival. In fact, Japanese rock ptarmigan chicks consume the same food as their hens from the time of hatching. This behavior may have applications to ex-situ conservation.

Effects of the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance, immunological parameters, antioxidant status, and intestinal bacteria of quail.

This study was designed to evaluate the potential application of the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus (AMSL) in the poultry industry. Quails were divided into four groups and fed daily with an AMSL-free diet (control) or with 1%, 3%, or 5% (w/w) AMSL-incorporated diets for 35 days. The results showed that supplementing AMSL in the diet, especially at a concentration of 3%, increased daily gain and feed intake during the entire experiment (p < 0.05). The immune organ development of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius was promoted, and the immune system was enhanced by increasing the quantities of IgA and complements C3 and C4 (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, the 3%-5% AMSL groups regulated the intestinal flora by promoting the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria and inhibiting the growth of coliform bacteria (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding incorporated diets with appropriate AMSL levels significantly increased growth performance, strengthened the immune system, improved antioxidative status, and regulated the intestinal microflora of quails, suggesting that AMSL has the potential to serve as a feed additive in the poultry industry.

Synergistic effect of X-ray irradiation and sodium hypochlorite against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium biofilms on quail eggshells.

The present study investigated the synergistic bactericidal effects of combined X-ray irradiation (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kGy) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 ppm) treatment on the reduction of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028 biofilms on quail eggshells. Additionally, the color change of the quail eggshells was measured by hunter color "L" (lightness), "a" (red/green), "b" (yellow/blue), and "ΔE" (total color difference). Additionally, the puncture force was tested to evaluate eggshell thickness after the combined treatments. The highest biofilm reduction values were observed as 4.6 log CFU/egg after X-ray (2.0 kGy) and NaOCl (300 ppm) treatment. Moreover, the synergistic reduction in values after combined treatment was evaluated, and the highest biofilm reduction value was 4.3 log CFU/egg by 2.0 kGy X-ray/50 ppm NaOCl (1.47 log higher than the sum of reduction values of the individual treatments). The color of the quail eggshell and puncture force were not significantly changed by combined treatments (p > 0.05 at both cases). Consequently, 2.0 kGy X-ray/50 ppm NaOCl was considered optimal for combination treatment for eliminating S. enterica ser. Typhimurium biofilms on eggshell without any color or thickness changes. Furthermore, combination treatment could be useful for improving microbiological safety in the quail egg industry.

Bactericidal Effect of Calcium Oxide (Scallop-Shell Powder) Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm on Quail Egg Shell, Stainless Steel, Plastic, and Rubber.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of calcium oxide (CaO) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on quail eggshells and major egg contacting surfaces (stainless steel, plastic, and rubber). The samples were subjected to CaO treatments (0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25%, and 0.30%) for 1 min. All the CaO treatments significantly reduced P. aeruginosa biofilms on all tested surfaces as compared to controls. In comparison of biofilm stability, the strongest and most resistant biofilm was formed on eggshell against the CaO treatment, followed by rubber, stainless steel, and plastic. In evaluation of bactericidal effect, the largest reduction (3.16 log CFU) was observed in plastic even at the lowest concentration of CaO (0.01%), whereas the least reduction was found in eggshells, regardless of CaO concentration. In addition, stainless steel showed a significant reduction in biofilm formation at all concentrations except 0.10% to 0.15% CaO. At 0.30% CaO, the reduction of P. aeruginosa in biofilms on stainless steel, plastic, rubber, and eggshell were 5.48, 6.37, 4.87, and 3.14 log CFU/cm2 (CFU/egg), respectively. Biofilm reduction after CaO treatment was also observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Based on the FE-SEM images, we observed that P. aeruginosa biofilms formed compact aggregations on eggshell surfaces with CaO treatments up to 0.30%. More specifically, a 0.20% CaO treatment resulted in the reductions of 3 to 6 log CFU in all materials.

Coligranulomatosis (Hjärre and Wramby's disease) reconsidered.

Coligranulomatosis (Hjärre and Wramby's disease) is considered to be a disease of chickens, turkeys and partridges that occurs sporadically in individual, adult birds. Therefore, the condition is not of economic importance, but is of interest due to the similarity of its lesions to those of tuberculosis. In a number of cases the disease could be reproduced by inoculation via artificial routes of granuloma homogenate or Escherichia coli bacteria isolated from the lesions. Oral inoculations always failed. Occasionally, also serious outbreaks of granuloma disease have been reported in chickens, turkeys and quails. E. coli bacteria were either not isolated or isolated, but the disease could not be reproduced with the isolates, which means that the essence of Koch's postulates was not fulfilled. Also other evidence of causality was not presented. Therefore, these disease cases might have been wrongly diagnosed as coligranulomatosis. Instead they may have been caused by Tetratrichomonas gallinarum, a parasite, which has the ability to induce severe granulomatosis in chicken flocks as has been shown recently. It is concluded that whenever severe granuloma disease is observed in poultry flocks at a large scale and is thus economically relevant, T. gallinarum should be included and rank high in the list of differential diagnoses.

Unique and shared responses of the gut microbiota to prolonged fasting: a comparative study across five classes of vertebrate hosts.

Many animals face unpredictable food sources and periods of prolonged fasting, which likely present significant challenges to gut microorganisms. While several studies have demonstrated that fasting impacts the gut microbiota, experiments have not been carried out in a comparative context. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to document changes in colonic and cecal microbiomes of animals representing five classes of vertebrates at four time points through prolonged fasting: tilapia, toads, geckos, quail, and mice. We found differences in the starvation-induced changes in the microbiome across host species and across gut regions. Microbial phylogenetic diversity increased as a result of fasting in the colons of fish, toads, and mice, while quail exhibited a decrease in diversity; geckos exhibited no change. Microbial diversity in the cecum decreased in fish and exhibited no change in mice. Alterations in relative abundances of microbial taxa varied across hosts. Fish exhibited the most significant changes due to fasting, while geckos maintained a stable community over 28 days of fasting. We uncovered several shared responses of the microbiota across hosts. For example, all tetrapods exhibited decreases in the abundances of Coprobacillus and Ruminococcus in response to fasting. We also discuss host-mediated physiological mechanisms that may underlie these community changes.

Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract as antibacterial Salmonella typhimurium to increase productivity of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The objective of this study was to apply effect of Morinda citrifolia L. citrifolia L. leaf extract as antibacterial of Salmonella typhimurium on mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ), egg production and Hen day, hatchability of layer quail. This research was conducted at Laboratory of microbiology and laboratory of poultry nutrition, faculty of animal science, bogor agricultural university and slamet quail farms cilangkap, sukabumi, west java, Indonesia on March-July 2012. Two hundred and forty heads of quail were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (sixty heads of quail/treatment). Experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments consist of level of biscuit Morinda citrifolia L. Citrifolia L. leaf extract i.e R1 = 0%, R2 = 5%, R3 = 10%, R4 = 15%. The results indicated the treatments had significant effect (p < 0.05) on mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ). The average mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) was given extract Morinda citrifolia L. leaf were R1 (4.00%), R2 (1.00%), R3 (1.33%), R4 (0.67%). The average mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) was given 15% extract Morinda citrifolia L. leaf (R4) was lowest than control treatment (R1). The results of the analysis indicated that Morinda citrifolia L. leaf of quail drink had not significant effect (p > 0.05) on egg production, hen day and hatchability. It was concluded that the Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract 15% can reduce mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) and can increase its egg production, hen day and hatchability.

Phenotypic and genotypic features of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica isolated from chicken meat and chicken and quail carcasses.

One hundred and twenty-three Salmonella enterica isolated in Italy from chicken meat and carcasses and from quail carcasses were analyzed to determine their levels of antibiotic resistance using antibiograms (phenotypic method) and PCR amplification of antimicrobial resistance-associated genes (genotypic method). The isolates were screened for the ability to grow in the presence of antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline) and for the presence of the following genes: pse-1, ant (3")-Ia, qacEΔI and sul-1, tetA, tetB and tetG. The most frequently isolated serotypes in the sample set were S. Virchow (24.4%), S. Enteritidis (17.1%) and S. Typhimurium (15.4%). Of the isolates from chicken carcasses, 86.1% were resistant to tetracycline, while 30.5% of the identified isolates exhibited phenotypic multi-drug resistance to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline; the multi-resistance pattern ant (3")-Ia/sul-1/tetA+tetB was detected in 11.1% of the isolates. Of the isolates from quail carcasses, 89.2% exhibited resistance to sulfamethoxazole, and 24.3% displayed phenotypic multi-drug resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline; a complete genotypic profile (pse-1, ant (3")-Ia, qacEΔI and sul-1, tetA, tetB and tetG) was obtained for 27.0% of the isolates. Among these isolates, S. Typhimurium exhibited the genotypes pse-1/ant(3")-Ia/sul-1/tetG and pse-1/ant(3")-Ia/sul-1/tetA+tetG. Of the isolates from chicken meat, 60.0% were resistant to tetracycline, and 36.0% exhibited a multi-drug resistance to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline; only one isolate, S. Enteritidis, contained the complete genotypic pattern pse-1/ant(3")-Ia/sul-1/tetG. The majority of the isolates displaying multi-drug resistance to the three antibiotics were isolated from chicken meat (40.0%).

Evaluation of the colonization capabilities of Salmonella Enteritidis in quails using an RT-PCR approach.

We used a real-time PCR assay and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay to detect genomic DNA of Salmonella Enteritidis in the internal organs of quails after an oral challenge. The results showed that S. Enteritidis was detected in all the samples at different time points. This study will assist a future understanding of the pathogenesis of S. Enteritidis.

Development of a polymerase chain reaction assay for specific identification of Clostridium colinum.

Clostridium colinum is the causative agent of ulcerative enteritis, a serious disease of the bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and sporadically of young chickens. The aim of the present study was to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay specific for C. colinum identification. The 16S rDNA sequence of C. colinum was analysed and two species-specific primers were designed. The specificity of these primers was tested with closely related Clostridium species and the expected amplified product (935 base pairs) was observed only with DNA from samples containing C. colinum. Results from performing PCR assays on faecal samples from quails spiked with different concentrations of C. colinum, showed that the detection limit of the assay was 1.6 x 10(4) colony-forming units per gram of faecal material. This PCR assay can be used in diagnostic laboratories to confirm the presence of C. colinum in pure cultures and could be used to screen enriched samples or faecal samples for the presence of this pathogen.

Distribution and characterization of Campylobacter spp. from Russian poultry.

The distribution of Campylobacter spp. on 13 poultry farms (broiler chicken, quail, pheasant, peacock, and turkey) from eight regions (Vladimir, Vologda, Voronezh, Kaluga, Liptsk, Moscow, Orenburg, and Orel) in Russia was surveyed. Intestinal materials were plated onto Campylobacter-selective medium and plates were incubated microaerobically at 42 degrees C for 24 or 48 h. Identification was based on colonial morphology, microscopic examination, and biochemical tests; latex agglutination assays were used for confirmation. In total, 116 isolates were derived from 370 samples. Isolation rates were similar, regardless of whether the birds were from small or large broiler production farms. Susceptibility of 48 representative (from these production sources) strains of Campylobacter spp. to 38 antimicrobial compounds was determined by disk diffusion assays. All strains tested were sensitive to amikacin, gentamycin, sisomycin, chloramphenicol, imipenem, oleandomycin, erythromycin, azitromycin, and ampicillin. The strains were also sensitive to 100 microg/disk of carbenicillin, fluoroquinolones, and to nitrofurans. Fluoroquinolone sensitivity was most notable and may be related to its limited application in poultry production within Russia. Hippurate and ribosomal RNA gene primers were developed and used to distinguish Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli and to provide a measure of strain discrimination. The combination of PCR analysis and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) typing were conducted for selected isolates. The various poultry species and the different locations yielded Campylobacter isolates with discrete randomly amplified polymorphic DNA patterns. The distribution and substantial diversity of Campylobacter spp. isolates appears similar to that previously reported in other countries.

Investigation on the nutritive value and microbiological quality of wild quail carcasses.

Quail meats have many advantages and superiority one the other species of poultry. This study was planned to throw plenty of light on gross chemical composition, lipid fractions, fatty acids composition, amino acids composition, of thigh and breast of male and female wild quail meat as well as the microbiological quality. The mean values of moisture, protein, fat, ash and energy contents ranged from 60.1 to 69.2%, 55.0 to 68.8%, 28.8 to 42.1%, 2.40 to 3.63% and 696 to 1000 kJ, respectively. Seven fractions of lipids (phospholipids, monoglycerides, cholesterol, diglycerides, free fatty acids, triglycerides and hydrocarbons) were estimated. The individual fatty acids were determined. The mean total unsaturated fatty acids represented 73.9, 66.8, 60.2 and 67.5% of the total fatty acids in thigh male, breast male, thigh female and breast female quail, while that of saturated fatty acids were 25.1, 30.1, 32.0 and 30.4%, respectively. The essential fatty acids in thigh and breast males were 34.8 and 29.0% against 25.7 and 28.1% in females. Amino acids composition were varied from 82.6 to 95.2 g/100 g protein in thigh, breast of male and female wild quails. The essential amino acids were illustrated. The mean values of psychotrophic, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Streptococci and Staph. aureus were 4 x 10(4), 1 x 10(2), 4 x 10(3), 3 x 10(3), 6 x 10(2) and 1 x 10(3) cfu/g, respectively. E. coli, Enterobacter agglumerans, E. cloacae, Morganella morgani, Proteus mirabilis, and P. vulgaris could be isolated in varying percentages. Neither Salmonellae nor Clostridium perfringens could be isolated from the examined quails. The public health aspects for the estimated and isolated criteria were outlined.