Survey of Salmonella sp. in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Fortaleza, Brazil / Survey of Salmonella sp. in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Fortaleza, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Background: The budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are psittacine of the Psittacidae family which belongs in the Psittaciformes order. These birds do not belong in the free living fauna of Brazil, therefore almost all of these birds found in the home environment are derived from pet stores or free markets. The dissemination of Salmonella among psittacine and other birds, and men as well, is a theme of great scientific concern. Salmonellosis is a highly contagious disease and psittacine are susceptible, but may also act as reservoirs hosting Salmonella sp. in the intestines and presenting as a source of infection to humans and domestic animals. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, identify and to assess the dissemination of Salmonella in budgerigars in Fortaleza city. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was performed between January and September, 2011. Two hundred and sixty four samples of drag and cloacal swabs were collected from budgerigars found in pet stores and breeders, of which 198 were individual cloacal swabs, 58 were drag swabs and 8 intestine samples were also collected during necropsy performed in birds that died during the experiment. The microbiological procedure was performed according to the following steps: pre-enrichment step, using tubes containing peptone water broth; selective enrichment step, in which pre-enriched cultures were transferred

RESUMO

Background: The budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are psittacine of the Psittacidae family which belongs in the Psittaciformes order. These birds do not belong in the free living fauna of Brazil, therefore almost all of these birds found in the home environment are derived from pet stores or free markets. The dissemination of Salmonella among psittacine and other birds, and men as well, is a theme of great scientific concern. Salmonellosis is a highly contagious disease and psittacine are susceptible, but may also act as reservoirs hosting Salmonella sp. in the intestines and presenting as a source of infection to humans and domestic animals. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, identify and to assess the dissemination of Salmonella in budgerigars in Fortaleza city. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was performed between January and September, 2011. Two hundred and sixty four samples of drag and cloacal swabs were collected from budgerigars found in pet stores and breeders, of which 198 were individual cloacal swabs, 58 were drag swabs and 8 intestine samples were also collected during necropsy performed in birds that died during the experiment. The microbiological procedure was performed according to the following steps: pre-enrichment step, using tubes containing peptone water broth; selective enrichment step, in which pre-enriched cultures were transferred