The Potential Risk Associated with Foodborne Pathogens in Watersheds: <i>Salmonellap</i> spp. in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Salmonella spp. is one of the most important food-and waterborne pathogens implicated in human and animal disease. A repeat cross-sectional study was performed to assess the occurrence of Salmonella in dairy herds in a watershed and determine the factors that play a role in the likelihood of perpetuation of this organism among animals on these farms. A convenience sample of herds in the Delaware County watershed was selected based on farmers' willingness to participate. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from a representative sample of cattle in these herds and tested for the presence of Salmonella using a combination of culturing and molecular detection methods. The significance of association between the putative risk factors and the likelihood of Salmonella spp. was evaluated using the logistic regression analysis. A total of 34 dairy farms were enrolled in the study and 1987 samples were collected coinciding with seasonal variation. Salmonella spp. was detected in 44% (15/34) of the herds in the study population (i.e., from at least one animal in these herds). However, only a small fraction of the entire sampling population (1.7%) was found to be shedding Salmonella. Risk factors that were found to be associated with the presence of the pathogen on the farm in the final multivariable model included concrete flooring for calves, prevention of calf access to the dam, and the lack of a designated calving pen. Two serovars, Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis and Salmonella enterica serovar Oranienburg, were identified among the isolates recovered in this study. Our study demonstrated that there was a potential risk of watershed degradation from Salmonella associated with cattle.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from bovine and ovine samples in slaughterhouses of Algiers, Algeria

“…Yet, it is more than 7 times lower than the 52% found by Kagambèga et al (2013). On the other hand, Bordonaro et al (2015) reported a very low rate (1.7%).…”

“…Nevertheless, the presence of even a carrier animal can be a potential source of contamination of carcasses, environment, material and personnel. Furthermore, fecal samples tend to be less clean than carcasses and other food products samples, and therefore, it is more difficult to grow and detect Salmonella in these samples because of other organisms and species of competitive bacteria (Bordonaro et al, 2015).…”

The potential risk associated with foodborne pathogens in a watershed: Escherichia coli O157:H7 in dairy cattle

“…Based on the study of Bordonaro et al. (2015), and in conjunction with a proportional block design, this led to the selection of a representative study population.…”

“…In addition to providing census data, the collaborators also provided detailed local knowledge during the study farm selection phase. Based on the study of Bordonaro et al (2015), and in conjunction with a proportional block design, this led to the selection of a representative study population.…”

“…The detection of E. coli O157:H7 in these samples was performed using a combination bacteriological enrichment and automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system detection (Bax PCR Real-Time Assay, System, Hygiena, https://www.hygiena.com/food-safety-solutions/pathogen-detection/bax-system-pcr-assays-for-e-coli-o157h7/) which has been validated for use in bovine fecal samples (Bordonaro, et al, 2013(Bordonaro, et al, , 2015Johnson et al, 1998). The detection method consisted of bacteriological enrichment and molecular detection.…”