Reducing Airborne Pathogens, Dust and Salmonella Transmission in Experimental Hatching Cabinets Using an Electrostatic Space Charge System

Abstract

Electrostatic charging of particles in enclosed spaces has been shown to be an effective means of reducing airborne dust. Dust generated during the hatching process has been strongly implicated in Salmonella transmission, which complicates the cleaning and disinfecting processes for hatchers. Following two preliminary trials in which dust reduction was measured, four trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an electrostatic space charge system (ESCS) on the levels of total aerobic bacteria (TPC), enterobacteriaceae (ENT), and Salmonella within an experimental hatching cabinet. The ESCS was placed in a hatching cabinet that was approximately 50% full of 18-d-old broiler hatching eggs. The ESCS operated continuously to generate a strong negative electrostatic charge throughout the cabinet through hatching, and dust was collected in grounded trays containing water and a degreaser. An adjacent hatching cabinet served as an untreated control. Air samples from hatchers were collected daily, and sample chicks from each hatcher were grown out to 7 d of age for cecal analysis in three of the trials. The ESCS significantly (P < 0.05) reduced TPC and ENT by 85 to 93%. Dust concentration was significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) during the preliminary trials with an average reduction of 93.6%. The number of Salmonella per gram of cecal contents in birds grown to 7 d of age was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced by an average log10 3.4 cfu/g. This ionization technology is relatively inexpensive and could be used to reduce airborne bacteria and dust within the hatching cabinet.

Experimental airborne transmission ofSalmonellaAgona andSalmonellaTyphimurium in weaned pigs

“…Air samples were collected through an impaction method previously described [15]. Duplicates of modified Brilliant Green agar plates were placed for 10 min at the entrance of the air duct in each cabinet and incubated at 37 xC for 24 h. Tissue samples were processed as described by Hurd et al [16].…”

Evaluation of respiratory route as a viable portal of entry for Salmonella in poultry

“…However, the possibility of entry and transmission of Salmonella through the respiratory route has historically received little attention. 4,32,34,35 In modern poultry production, birds are held in the hatcheries for about 12-24 hours. Hatched birds experience prolonged high-density confinement in the hatchery, where they are exposed to circulating air that can carry Salmonella and other pathogens.…”

“…[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73] As a consequence, particles and particle-associated microorganisms are inhaled as unavoidable constituents of air flow. 74 The architecture of the avian respiratory tract is an important component in terms of susceptibility and resistance to infectious agents. In this section, the main anatomic structure, physiologic functions, and immunologic defense mechanisms of the avian respiratory system are described to provide a general view of the conduit through which a pathogen has to travel.…”

Determining the Contribution of Ventilation and Insulation of Broiler Breeding Houses in Production Performance Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

“…in accordance with different regional environments are among the important considerations for creating suitable environmental conditions (Lacy & Czarick, 1992). Various environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, air flow speed, ventilation rate and concentration of airborne particles, gases and microorganisms determine the environmental quality in poultry houses (Mitchell et al, 2002).…”