Abstract

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the biovars of Salmonella that are found in poultry farms in Abia and Imo States, Southeastern Nigeria. Forty Salmonella isolates obtained from previous studies were subjected to molecular identification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Salmonella universal and species specific primers. Six different Salmonella serotypes were screened to determine the biovars that was present in the study. The serotypes was Salmonella infantis, Salmonella typhimurum. Salmonella weltervreden. Salmonella enteritidis. Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinerum. The PCR products of the genomic DNA extracted from the 40 Salmonella isolates produced bands at 250bp following agarose gel electrophoresis. Amplification of the species specific primers were evidenced with detection of bands. Two Salmonella biovars were detected out of the 6 Salmonella serotypes used for the study, namely, Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella gallinerum. Sixteen Salmonella gallinerum were isolated from Imo State while 24 Salmonella pullorum were isolated from Abia State with bands ranging from lOObp to 250bp. The study shows that the predominant biovars present in the study area were two and this could have remarkable epidemiological implications in the control of the disease. There is need to monitor the movement of day old chicks for pathogenic Salmonella species to facilitate the control of these economically important zoonotic salmonella disease.

Keywords: Abia State, bands, Imo State, polymerase chain reaction, Salmonella biovars.