Abstract

Salmonellosis is an important public health problem and food of poultry origin is one of the most common sources of human salmonellosis. The aim of this study was detection of Salmonella spp and determination of the prevalence of Salmonellosis in broiler poultry farms of Ardebil province, Iran. Salmonella detection by both conventional culture and multiplex PCR methods were performed on 400 samples obtained from poultry. The samples were obtained from poultry farms of five different geographic zones (North, South, West, East and Central zone) of Ardebil province and were examined by standard microbiological tests. m-PCR technique was carried out with four and three pairs of specific primers for Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis respectively. Out of a total of 400 samples, 37(9.25%) were positive for Salmonella by bacteriological tests. The highest prevalence of Salmonella was recorded in Central zone (10.43%) while the lowest prevalence was in South zone of Ardebil province (8%). Based on the m-PCR results among 37 isolated Salmonella, 11 serovars were S. typhimurium and 21 serovars were identified as S. enteritidis. Also, there was no significant difference between the prevalence rate of Salmonella in five different selected areas (P>0.05). For control and prevention programs of salmonellosis, the results of this study can be used by agriculture and health organizations in Iran.

Key words: m-PCR, ardebil, salmonellosis, poultry.