Indian Journal of Poultry Science

Studies on epidemiology of salmonellosis in poultry in Jammu were under taken in both organized and unorganized poultry farms from broiler and layer farms. A total of 200 poultry cloacal samples, 100 each from the broilers and layers, were processed for the isolation of Salmonella with an overall incidence of 4 per cent. In broilers, the overall incidence was 3 per cent where as in layers it was 5 per cent. The seasonal distribution showed highest incidence of 10 per cent in monsoon (July-September) followed by 2 per cent in post monsoon (October-December) and winter (January-March). None of the samples was positive during summer (April-June). The incidence was higher in unorganized poultry farms (5 per cent) compared to the organized poultry farms (3 per cent). Higher prevalence was observed in diarrheic (6%) as compared to non-diarrheic birds (2%). Almost all Salmonella Gallinarum were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin and were sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamicin, enrofloxacin and ceftriazone. Biochemical characterization of Salmonella isolates showed positively for methyl red, citrate utilization, TSI, nitrate reduction and catalase and negatively towards indole production, voges- proskauer, urease activity and oxidase tests. Confirmation of Salmonella spp. and Salmonella gallinarum was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rRNA and Salmonella gallinarum specific primers, respectively. All the 8 isolates were confirmed by PCR as Salmonella gallinarum.