Investigating the Presence of Salmonella spp. in the Feces of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Istanbul

Abstract

Wildlife is an important source of many infectious agents for domestic animals and humans. Increasing interactions between humans, domestic animals, and wildlife may cause the infection of contagious agents between the species. Domestic animals can be easily infected with Salmonella serovars as a result of its asymptomatic presence in the intestinal flora of wild animals and its spreading around. The presence of Salmonella species in the feces of red deer (Cervus elaphus), which is an important member of wildlife in Turkey, was investigated in the present study. A total of 240 fecal samples were collected in sterile dry plastic containers from freeranging deer at the Deer Breeding Farm in Istanbul Belgrad Forest, once a month for a year. The samples collected were examined through conventional culture and molecular methods (PCR). Salmonella spp. was not isolated from the samples examined. As a result, considering that wildlife may pose a potential health risk in terms of domestic animals and public health, it will be beneficial to conduct studies on both Salmonella agents and all bacterial agents in deer in terms of wildlife and public health.