Dermanyssus gallinae in Laying Hen Houses in Algeria, Infestation Prevalence and Molecular Detection of Salmonella

Abstract

The red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is the most important and common ectoparasite of laying hens and it’s recognized as a vector of several pathogens, including Salmonella an important agent of food intoxication outbreaks worldwide. In order to investigate Dermanyssus gallinae infestation rate, a total of 386 laying hen farms was studied in four provinces located in north-eastern Algeria (Brouira, Bordj Bouarreridj, Setif and Batna). A total of 32 pooled mite samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella enterica, S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis using PCR essay. Each sample contained 100 red mites. Results showed that 54 out of 386 farms (14%) were infested by D. gallinae. Bouira province had recorded the highest prevalence rate (18.18%). Flocks older than 40 weeks were most affected by the red mite (p ˂ 0.001). Salmonella enterica DNA was detected in 8 samples (25%), including two Salmonella enteritidis (6.25%). These results indicate that Dermanyssus gallinae can act as a reservoir of Salmonella allowing its persistence in the poultry environment and its transmission between different production cycles and between hen housings.

Keywords

• laying hen housing
• dermanyssus gallinae
• prevalence
• salmonella
• vector
• algeria