Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in broiler chicken flocks in northern Poland in 2014-2016.

Zoonotic serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica are an important biological factor that poses a threat to public health, and broilers are often asymptomatic carriers of these bacteria. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Salmonella serotypes in broiler chicken flocks in northern Poland in 2014-2016. The study was conducted on commercial flocks monitored by the Institutes of Veterinary Hygiene in Gdansk and Olsztyn in 2014-2016. A total of 4,331 samples were investigated. Identification of Salmonella spp. was performed by a culture-dependent method followed by biochemical and serological confirmation tests, in accordance with Polish Standards. The total percentage of infected flocks in northern Poland reached 1.57%. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in broiler chickens decreased from 2.19% in 2014 to 1.22% in 2016. The percentage of flocks infected with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium was 1.18% and 0.12%, respectively (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were detected in 1.29% of flocks). The most common serotypes that had not been covered by the control programme were S. Mbandaka (0.14%), S. Infantis (0.07%) and, sporadically, S. Kentucky and S. Anatum. The percentage of infected flocks was higher (by 0.26%) in the Pomeranian Region than in the Region of Warmia and Mazury, and it increased over the analyzed period - the highest number of positive samples were found in 2016 (2.04%). In the Region of Warmia and Mazury, the percentage of infected flocks was highest in 2014 (3.08%); in 2014-2016, the number of positive samples decreased steadily to reach 0.41% in 2016. In the analyzed regions, the incidence of human salmonellosis was correlated with the percentage of infected broiler flocks.

The effect of stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination and equine respiratory health.

The choice of bedding material affects the quality of air in a stable and, consequently, the respiratory health of horses and humans. The risk of respiratory problems can be mitigated by improving the quality of air in the stable. The choice of bedding material is particularly important in cold climate conditions where horses are kept indoors throughout the year. This study examined the impact of three bedding materials: straw (S), peat with shavings (PS), and crushed wood pellets (CWP). The investigated factors were air contamination, including dust contamination and microbial (bacterial and fungal) contamination, and the condition of the equine respiratory tract. The condition of the respiratory tract was evaluated based on the results of arterial blood biochemistry tests and endoscopic evaluations of the upper respiratory tract. Mechanical dust contamination was lowest for PS (1.09mg/m3) and highest for CWP (4.07mg/m3). Bacterial contamination (in CFU - colony forming units) was highest for PS (5.14log10CFU/m3) and lowest for CWP (4.81log10CFU/m3). Fungal air contamination was lowest for CWP (4.54log10CFU/m3) and highest for S (4.82log10CFU/m3) and PS (4.88log10CFU/m3). An analysis of physiological indicators revealed that all horses were clinically healthy regardless of the type of applied bedding. The type of bedding material did not exert a clear influence on arterial blood biochemistry or the results of endoscopic evaluations of the respiratory tract; however, the use of alternative for straw bedding materials improved endoscopy results.