Detection of Virulence Genes in Salmonella Isolated From Chicken and Chicken Waste Water

Abstract

The study was conducted in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State to determine the prevalence of
Salmonella on chicken and chicken water waste using fecal samples from apparently healthy birds,
clinically sick birds and swabs of waste water effluent from chicken farms. A total of 180 samples made
of 60 samples each were collected from the three sample types. Biochemical and Serological analysis
were conducted in veterinary laboratory of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, while molecular
studies were conducted at Lahor Medical Research and Diagnostic Center, Edo State Benin. The
prevalence of Salmonella Spp. in apparently healthy chicken, clinically sick chicken and chicken water
waste were 6.6% 11.6% and 20% respectively, while the mean prevalence rate was 12.7%. Polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of virulence genes with known amplification conditions,
number of cycles and concentration of reagents while amplicon were separated by electrophoresis in a
1.5% agarose gel. The detection of Vi and V3 genes with bands at 100bp and 150bp suggest the
presence of virulence genes of Salmonella Typhimurium, while the detection of inVA and sopE genes
with bands at 260bp and 240bp indicates the presence of virulence genes for Salmonella Enteritidis.