PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLAE IN SHEEP AND ITS ENVIRONMENT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DETECTION OF VIRULENCE

The present investigation showed that the incidence of salmonellae in sheep and lambs was
(4.49%) and (9.18%) respectively. The incidence in sheep differed according to age and health conditions as it was higher in lamb than in adult and in diseased than apparently healthy as it was (12.73%) and (4.65%) in diseased and apparently healthy lambs. Meanwhile, it was (6.67%) and (3.39%) in diseased and apparently healthy adults sheep respectively. The prevalence of salmonellae in slaughtered sheep was (4.44%) and it was higher in intestines (6.67%) than in livers and lymph nodes (3.33%) each. The prevalence of salmonellae in dead lambs was (11.76%) and this incidence was similar in the examined livers, intestines and lymph nodes (11.76 %) each. The incidences in feedstuffs, water, soil, waste samples and swabs from workers’ hands in environment of living sheep, lambs and dead lambs were (5.71 %, 2.86%, 8.57%, 22.22% and 11.11%) respectively. While, the incidences from drain water, swabs from walls and workers’ hands in environment of slaughtered sheep were (10%, 12.5% and 6.67%) respectively. The isolated salmonellae were belonged to 7 serovars and S. Typhimurium was most predominant isolate. Also S. Arizonae, S. Cerro, S. Enteritidis, S. Ferruch, S. Montevideo and S. Sandiego were isolated. S. Arizonae, S. Ferruch, S. Montevideo, S. Sandiego and S. Typhimurium harboured the virulence associated gene. While, S. Cerro, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium (from slaughtered sheep) didn’t harbour this gene. S. Arizonae, S. Cerro and S. Ferruch yielded (100%) mortality rate in each, followed by S. Sandiego (80%) then S. Typhimurium, S.Typhimurium (from slaughtered sheep)