Observation on the occurrence and transmission pattern of Salmonella gallinarum in commercial poultry farms in Ogun State, South Western Nigeria

Reports of heavy mortality in three commercial layer poultry farms and two meat-type turkey farms in Ogun State were received separately between March and December, 2008 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. We investigated the cause of mortality, isolated and serotyped the aetiological agent, and carried out antimicrobial susceptibility testing. All five isolates serotyped were Salmonella Gallinarum and showed identical patterns of resistance and susceptibility to all antimicrobials used. The occurrence of ciprofloxacin resistance in all five isolates is of importance since fluoroquinolone resistance has implications for both veterinary and human therapy and the abuse of such medications in poultry could result in the emergence of resistant zoonotic organisms.   Key words: occurrence, transmission pattern,  Salmonella gallinarum poultry farms.