Isolation of Rare Salmonella Serovars, Wangata and Penarth from Chicken in Nsukka, Nigeria

Introduction: Salmonella infections remain a veterinary and public health problem of major importance. Rare Salmonella serovars, whose epidemiological and serological patterns are not well understood, are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria and other Obi All the rare serotypes S . Wangata and S . Penarth were isolated from free range chickens, while S . Enteritidis was isolated from both intensively reared and free range chickens. There was no difference in the sensitivity pattern between the rare serovars and serovar Enteritidis to the antibiotics tested. S. Penarth had a higher MIC to Cotrimoxazole, but lower MBC for gentamicin and tetracycline. Conclusions: Free range chickens could be vehicles for the transmission and/or reservoirs of the rare salmonellae serotypes in Nigeria. Any prophylactic program aimed at controlling these agents in poultry farms in Nigeria, must take into account the free range local chickens.