The detection of nasal carriers of salmonella and other enterobacteria amongst young farm animals.

An investigation was conducted to detect the presence of Salmonella nasal carriers amongst young farm animals (Cow-calves, buffalo-calves, lambs, kids, piglets and foals) on farms having a previous history of Salmonellosis. Salmonella could be isolated from nasal swabs of 1.2% of the cow-calves and 2.9% of the piglets studied but not from other young animals. Isolated strains included S. typhimurium and S. weltevreden from cow-calves and piglets, respectively. Other members of family Enterobacriacteeae isolated from nasal passages of these animals were: E. coli (O106:H27 and O153:H12), Serratia rubidiae, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter spp. One of the Citrobacter strains from piglet faeces which appear to be a new Citrobacter serotype had Salmonella 45(1), 45(3), 45(5) 'O' antigens. The results indicated that the upper respiratory tract of animals carried Salmonella and other potentially pathogenic enterobacteria which might contribute to the spread of corresponding infections among man and animals.