Comparison seroprevalence of Salmonella spp. in large farms and individual producers in Serbia

Abstract

Salmonella is one of the most frequently reported food-borne (alimentary) infections in the world. The study objective was to evaluate seroprevalence of Salmonella spp. in the farrow-to-finish farms and individual producers. Examined fattened pigs were divided into two groups: the first group was comprised of fatteners from 4 large farms in northern Serbia, and fatteners from the other group originating from individual producers from northern Serbia and the region of eastern Serbia. Individual blood serum samples were collected from 100 pigs per farrow-to-finish farms and 300 fattening pigs from individual producers and analysed for the presence of Salmonella antibodies. A blood serum sample from each pig was frozen, and blood serum was examined for specific anti- bodies against Salmonella spp. using an indirect ELISA. Salmonella seroprevalence ranging from 0% to 56% was found in 4 farrow-to-finish farms. Seroprevalence of 79% was found in individual producers (300 blood serum samples). This study shows that the results of serological tests for Salmonella were different (p<0.01) for slaughtered pigs from farms and from individual producers. Pig production in Serbia is under better supervision on large farrow-to-finish farms than in the individual sector. This study is an introduction to reducing of public health risks associated with Salmonella in pork.

Keywords

• pig
• production system
• Salmonella
• seroprevalence
• food safety