Low occurrence of Salmonella spp. in wild birds from a Swiss rehabilitation centre

BACKGROUND: Salmonella are bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae with a wide host range. Infection in birds causes subclinical disease to mass mortality events. Wild birds may act as healthy carriers posing a hazard to livestock and humans. The present study investigated the occurrence of Salmonella in wild birds admitted to a rehabilitation centre in order to assess the exposure of the staff to this zoonotic pathogen. METHODS: Faecal swabs of 552 avian patients (68 species) were collected over the course of 12 months. Each sample was propagated in enrichment broth and subsequently incubated on a RAPID'Salmonella plate. Salmonella isolates were serotyped, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. RESULTS: Six Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and 1 S. Schleissheim were detected; all were pansusceptible to the antibiotics tested. CONCLUSION: Despite the low positive rate in the tested population, the authors recommend applying protective equipment and hygiene measures when handling wild birds.