Serotyping of Chicken salmonellae in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria

Serological characterization of chicken salmonellae isolated from four thousand, six hundred and sixteen (N= 4,616) samples from 1,319 chickens was done between 2006 and 2011 with the live bird market in Jos, Plateau state as the study site. Sample breakdown consisted of crop tissues (n=1,319), poultry droppings (n=1,319), gizzard tissue (n=1,319) and oviducts (n=659). Standard methods for bacterial cultivation and phenotypic identification were adopted prior to serological typing of the isolates. 28 (0.006%) of the total samples yielded Salmonella serotypes. 15 were from improved breed of chickens while 13 were from local breeds. Eighteen (64.3%) of the 28 Salmonella isolates were from layers while 10 (35.7%) were from cockerels. Samples from oviduct accounted for the most isolates (10) while the crop tissue accounted for the least (3) isolates. Serological analysis of the 28 isolates showed that 3(10.7%) each were Enteritidis, Typhimurium and Bargny. They were closely followed by St. Paul with 2 (7.14%). The remaining serotypes had one isolate each, with 3 of them typed to serogroup level only (one group D and 2 group B). Findings from this study indicate that chicken salmonellosis is prevalent in Jos. Also, the occurrence of highly invasive and rare serotypes is of great economic and public health significance. Concerted effort must therefore be made to improve on preventive and curative measures against chicken salmonellosis and other zoonoses.