Salmonellosis in Trinidad: evidence for transovarian transmission of Salmonella in farm eggs.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the contents of farm eggs in Trinidad are contaminated with Salmonella and if transovarian transmission occurs. 750 fresh eggs from 10 farms supplying 75% of the country's eggs were cultured for Salmonella. Salmonella was found on the egg shells' surfaces from all farms, and in the egg contents from three farms. Isolates were obtained from the cultures of the contents and shells of nine (1.2%) and 35 (4.66%) eggs, respectively (p < 0.005). Serotypes found in the contents were S. enteritidis (0.8%; deduced to be contaminated by transovarian transmission) and S. typhimurium (0.4%); those isolated from the shells (contaminated by faecal transmission) were S. typhimurium (3.06%), S. enteritidis (0.67%), S. ohio (0.27%), S. cerro (0.27%), S. infantis (0.27%) and S. heidelberg (0.13%). This study provides the first evidence for Salmonella and, more importantly, S. enteritidis, in eggs in Trinidad. This is of major public health significance because S. enteritidis infected eggs appear normal and the organism is difficult to detect and control. The consumption of these eggs may increase the risk of Salmonella infection. Food safety practices, particularly the thorough cooking (> or = 70 degrees C) of all egg dishes and the refrigeration (< 10 degrees C) of shell eggs and egg dishes, are recommended.

Salmonellosis in Trinidad: evidence for transovarian transmission of Salmonella in farm eggs

The aim of this study was to determine whether the contents of farm eggs in Trinidad are contaminated with Salmonella and if transovarian transmission occurs. 750 fresh eggs from 10 farms supplying 75of the country's eggs were cultured for Salmonella. Salmonella was found on the egg shells' surfaces from all farms, and in the egg contents from three farms. Isolates were obtained from the cultures of the contents and shells of nine (1.2) and 35 (4.66) eggs, respectively (p or = 70 degrees C) of all egg dishes and the refrigeration (< 10 degrees C) of shell eggs and egg dishes, are recommended.

Salmonellosis in Trinidad: evidence of transovarian transmission of salmonella in farm eggs

The aim of this study was to determine whether the contents of farm eggs in Trinidad are contaminated with Salmonella and if transovarian transmission occurs. 750 fresh eggs from 10 farms supplying 75 percent of the country's eggs were cultured for Salmonella. Salmonella was found on the egg shells' surface from all farms, and in the egg contents from three farms. Isolates were obtained from the cultures of the contents and shells of nine (1.2 percent) and 35 (4.66 percent) eggs, respectively (p<0.005). Serotypes found in the contents were S. enteritidis (0.8 percent; deduced to be contaminated by transovarian transmission) were S. typhimurium (0.4 percent); those isolated from the shells (contaminated by faecal transmission) were S. typhimurium (3.06 percent), S. enteritidis (0.67 percent), S. ohio (0.27 percent), S. cerro (0.27 percent) S. infantis (0.27 percent) and S. heidelberg (0.13 percent). This study provides the first evidence for Salmonella and more, importantly, S. enteritidis, in eggs in Trinidad. This is of major public health significance because S. enteritidis infected eggs appear normal and the organism is difficult to detect and control. The consumption of these eggs may increase the risk of Salmonella infection. Food safety practices, particularly the thorough cooking (>70 degree census) of all egg dishes and the refrigeration (<10 degree census) of shell eggs and egg dishes, are recommended.(AU)

Some bacterial enteropathogens in wildlife and racing pigeons from Trinidad

Fecal and cloacal swabs or feces of wild mammalian, avian and reptilian species, either farmed or free-ranging, and of racing pigeons (Columba livia) kept in lofts were cultured for Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Yersinia spp. Of 291 free-ranging mammals tested 6 (2 percent) and 1 (< 1 percent) and 1 (< 1 percent) yielded positive culture of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp., respectively. Salmonella newport was the predominant serotype isolated and the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis) had the significantly highest prevalence (29 percent) of Salmonella spp. infection compared to other species such as deer (Mazama americana trinitatis), lappe (Agouti paca), tattoo (Dasypus novemcinctus), agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), and wild hog (Tayassu tajacu). Among 14 species of farmed wildlife studied, 13 (7 percent) and 10 (5 percent) of 184 fecal or cloacal samples tested were positive for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp., respectively. Salmonella javians accounted for 50 percent of the Salmonella spp. isolates and C. jejuni represented 90 percent of the Campylobacter spp. cultured. Only 1 (1 percent) of 124 cloacal swabs of free-flying avian species yielded Salmonella spp. compared to 21 (17 percent) samples positive for Campylobacter spp. Of 171 racing pigeons which originated from 8 fanciers, 8 (5 percent) yielded Salmonella spp. all of which were serotype typhimurium while only 1 (1 percent) were positive for Campylobacter spp. Seven (88 percent) of 8 Salmonella spp. isolates were recovered from one fancier. Yersina spp. was not cultured from any of the above samples. Although the prevalences of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. in wildlife in Trinidad are low, the practice of wildlife farming and the increased consumption of meat from wildlife may increase the health risk to human consumers(AU)