Risk Factors for <i>Salmonella</i> Detection in Commercial Layer Flocks in Spain
2023
Clara Samper-Cativiela | Maria Esther Prieto | Soledad Collado | Cristina De Frutos | Adam J. Branscum | Jose Luis Saez | Julio Alvarez
Trends in <i>Salmonella</i> human infections are assumed to be related to the distribution of the pathogen in the animal reservoir/food products, and cases in humans are most often linked to poultry and poultry products (eggs, meat). Therefore, ongoing <i>Salmonella</i> national control programs (NCPs) in European Union Member States have the objective of monitoring and reducing its prevalence in commercial poultry flocks. Results from NCPs have shown certain factors (housing systems, season of sampling and if sampling is conducted by food business operators (FBOps) or competent authorities (CAs), among others) can influence detection rates, but associations are often not consistent. Here, we analyzed data from the Spanish NCP on 7216 laying hen flocks subjected to 36,193 sampling events over a six-year period to characterize its performance and identify variables influencing detection rates. Overall, 1205 sampling events were positive for <i>Salmonella</i> spp. (any serovar) and 132 for <i>S</i>. Enteritidis-<i>S</i>. Typhimurium/monophasic. Bayesian multivariable models adjusting for multiple covariates concluded that sampling events later in the year, in caged flocks with older animals and conducted by CAs had increased odds of positivity for <i>Salmonella</i> spp., revealing aspects linked with a differential estimation of <i>Salmonella</i> levels in laying hen flocks.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Directory of Open Access Journals