Salmonella spp. testing

Pathogen overview

A common bacterial pathogen causing joint swelling, diarrhoea and wasting, with zoonotic risk — a must-test item for breeder screening.

Transmission

Spread by the faecal-oral route through feed and drinking water contaminated with rodent droppings and through the excreta of affected birds; it can also be transmitted vertically via the egg, and the source of contamination is often rodents and carrier pigeons.

Main impact

Causes arthritis, drooping wings, diarrhoea and wasting and nervous signs; chronic infection reduces the breeding performance of stock birds and raises squab mortality, and there is also a zoonotic risk.

Why testing matters

Screens carrier stock birds and sources of contamination, guides antibacterial treatment, disinfection and rodent control, safeguards flock health and handler safety, and is a mandatory item in import quarantine.

Common symptoms

• ◆ Joint swelling, lameness
• ◆ Drooping wings
• ◆ Diarrhoea, wasting
• ◆ Nervous signs

Differential diagnosis

Must be differentiated from other bacterial infections such as paratyphoid and colibacillosis; Salmonella is characterised by joint swelling, drooping wings, wasting and zoonotic potential.

Incubation period

Incubation period 1–3 days; spread by the faecal-oral route or vertically, with outbreaks common after stress.

Diagnostic methods

Collect faeces and cloacal swabs for qPCR or bacterial culture for confirmation, interpreted together with signs such as joint swelling and diarrhoea.

Management and treatment

Select sensitive antibiotics according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, together with isolation, disinfection and improved hygiene; medication requires a veterinary prescription.

Prevention

Keep the loft dry and clean, prevent rodent contamination of feed and test stock birds regularly.