Detection of salmonella serotypes in poultry intestines from Dar es Salaam municipality, Tanzania

Salmonella Species are important agents of diseases such as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers and as a source of food-borne diseases in humans and many other animals. They have long been considered to be a threat in food poisoning cases in many countries. However, research on its threats is biased on diagnosing clinical findings. This neglects identification of other sources of Salmonella species. The aim of this study was to identify pathogenic species and serotypes of salmonella from poultry. One hundred and fifty intestinal samples of chickens were analysed using growth characteristics on selective media. The samples were. The samples were preliminarily inoculated on MacConkay agar, then on Chromogenic enterobacteriaceae agar and Kligler iron agar. Positive samples for Salmonella serotypes were analysed using Analytical Profile index kit, and confirmed by Slide agglutination test (Serologic test). Results showed that 24 (16%) samples were infected by Salmonella species, of which 7/24 (29.2%) were found to be Salmonella typhi with the production of hydrogen sulphide gas on Kligler Iron medium, which was then confirmed serologically using poly „O‟& „H‟ Antisera. API results also showed the presence of S. typhi 29%, S. gallinurum 50% and other Salmonella Species 21%. Serologic results revealed to have two major serotypes; Typhi (29%) and Typhimurium (70%) and others 1%. Based on these findings, there is a need to establish food laboratories in each district to test poultry products before consumptions. According to ISO 7218, Salmonella Spp. are totally not allowed to be present in foods. It is thus recommended to undergo further studies by increasing the sample number and application of more discriminatory methods.