Salmonella Isolations from Stuffed Natural Poultry Toys

Abstract

TRANSMISSION of salmonellae from poul¬ try and poultry products to man has caused concern among public health workers and to the poultry industry {1-^). However, improved media and techniques have resulted in more fre¬ quent and efficient isolations of salmonellae, not only from apparent sources, but also from pre¬ viously unsuspected origins. They have served also to reveal the ubiquitousness of salmonellae and the need for more effective methods of control. In March 1965 a shipment of stuffed toys was received by the Pennsylvania Department of Health division of laboratories for routine bac¬ terial examination to detect Bacillus anthracis. The shipment consisted of one stuffed natural chick, one stuffed natural duckling, and four artificial chicks made from chenille. These toys were destined, ultimately, for the retail sales market where they would be sold for Easter decorations. The natural toys appeared to have been 2or 3-day-old birds that were eviscerated and stuffed. The down was fluffy and the skin showed no evidence of shrinkage, but the method of preservation was not determined. Examina¬ tion for anthrax bacillus was negative. Nevertheless, additional examinations were made to ascertain whether the toys harbored enteric pathogens. Materials and Methods To provide the optimum conditions for growth and detection of enteric pathogens the lactose pre-enrichment method of North (5), later confirmed by Taylor and Silliker (tf), was used. The lactose broth was made up in double Mr. Price, a micro biologist, is with the enteric bac¬ teriology unit,