Salmonella Prevalence in Slaughtered Buffaloes and Cattle in Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

This is the fi rst local study of Salmonella prevalence in slaughtered buffaloes and cattle in Champasak province, Lao PDR. In total, 269 animals (225 buffaloes and 44 cattle) were examined for the presence of Salmonella in mesenteric lymph nodes, caecum, abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles. The proportion of slaughtered buffaloes and cattle identifi ed as positive for Salmonella was 6.69%, with 7.11% in buffaloes and 4.54% in cattle. The highest proportion was identifi ed in the Houayset (9.67%), followed by the Nasaykham (6.25%) abattoir, and the lowest proportion was found in the KhanGneng abattoir (5.37%). No Salmonella was found in the Houayphek abattoir. Only 3.25% (22 of 676) of all samples collected were identifi ed as contaminated with Salmonella. Out of 22 isolates, four serotypes and three untypable Salmonella-attributed to serogroups B, C and E, were identifi ed. S. Weltevreden accounted for 45.45% (10 of 22) of the total isolates, followed by S. Brunei 22.72% (5 of 22) and S. 8,20:-:- 13.63% (3 of 22), while a similar level of 4.54% was found for S. Typhimurium, S. Bovismorbifi cans, S. 4.5.12:b:- and S. 8,20:y:- . The results indicated that slaughtered buffaloes and cattle sampled in this study served as sources of Salmonella in humans. Hence, slaughterhouse surveillance of Salmonella and other food-borne diseases is needed in order to prevent Salmonella from reaching foodstuffs meant for human consumption.