Emergent salmonellosis of avian origin

Abstract

The genus Salmonella are rod-shapedfacultative anaerobes enterobacteria that are obligatory intracellular parasites and worldwide distributed. These pathogens are considered of great importance for animals as for humans. In broiler industry, Salmonella normally cause no harm to poultry, but are involved in foodborne diseases in humans and represent a significant public health problem. The main source of transmission to humans is the consumption of eggs, followed by bovine meat and chicken. Control of this disease is complex because of its wide distribution, making it necessary to adopt preventive measures, because once present in the production chain of poultry industry, the health management for control of Salmonella is expensive. In general, clinical signs of salmonellosis are associated with the gastrointestinal tract, but systematic infection can occur with death. The losses are high for both poultry industry and for public health, and the best way to reduce costs are related to the disease is by adopting preventive measures rather than curative measures. The objective of this review is to show the importance of avian Salmonella in public health.