Frequent human‐poultry interactions and low prevalence of Salmonella in backyard chicken flocks in Massachusetts

Abstract

The backyard chicken (BYC) movement in the USA has increased human contact with poultry and subsequently, human contact with the pathogen Salmonella. However, to date, there have been few studies assessing prevalence of Salmonella in backyard flocks, despite the known public health risk this zoonotic bacterium poses. The objective of this study was to characterize human‐BYC interactions and assess the prevalence of Salmonella among BYC flocks. We interviewed 50 BYC owners using a structured questionnaire to determine flock and household characteristics that facilitate contact with BYC and that may be associated with Salmonella in the BYC environment. Composite faecal material, cloacal swabs and dust samples from 53 flocks housed on 50 residential properties in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area were tested for Salmonella using standard culture techniques and confirmed using Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization‐Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer. Microbroth dilution and whole genome sequencing were used to determine phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles, respectively, and sequence results were used to determine multilocus sequencing type. No owners self‐reported a diagnosis of salmonellosis in the household. Over 75% of a subset of owners reported that they and their children consider BYC pets. This perception is evident in how owners reported interacting with their birds. Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype Kentucky ST152 (serogroup C)—a strain not commonly associated with human infection—was confirmed in one flock, or 2% of tested flocks, and demonstrated resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin. We detected Salmonella at low prevalence in BYC. Further study of the health effects of exposure to zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens such as Salmonella among families with BYC is warranted.

The occurrence of Salmonella, extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistant non‐fermenting Gram‐negative bacteria in a backyard poultry flock environment

“…Due to the risk of Salmonella transmission associated with the handling of live poultry, a few studies have assessed the prevalence of this pathogen in backyard poultry in the USA (Anonymous, 2016;Basler et al, 2016;Clothier, Kim, Mete, & Hill, 2018;McDonagh et al, 2019). Additionally, a few published studies have reported that other opportunistic pathogens including Escherichia coli and other non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) such as Acinetobacter spp., Achromobacter spp.…”

Zoonotic disease awareness survey of backyard poultry and swine owners in southcentral Pennsylvania

“…Backyard poultry and small pastured swine are animal production systems that have been increasing in popularity (Bailey & Larson, ; Beam, Garber, Sakugawa, & Kopral, ; Weiss, ). While most backyard chickens are raised as pets and for home egg consumption (Elkhorabi, Blatchford, Pitesky, & Mench, ; McDonagh et al, ), the backyard ownership of domestic swine is mainly limited to meat production (Fournier, ).…”

Risk Factors for Positivity to Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in Backyard Production Systems Animals from Metropolitana Region, Chile: A Threat to Public Health?

“…Another important characteristic to highlight is that, of the surveyed BPS, those in charge of maintaining them were mainly pensioners (older than 60 years); a situation that has been reported previously [7]. In Chile, this could be a factor that influences the lack of, or delay in, the adoption of new practices that could improve the sanitary status of these productive systems [69]. There is also a perception of mistrust in those in charge of BPS directed towards official veterinary and health authorities, which is reflected in the low participation rate of these entities in the visited BPS.…”