Investigation of Salmonella spp. in exotic and native Psittaciformes kept in captivity in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul

ABSTRACT Infectious diseases are known to cause decline in wildlife population and some of them may represent a threat to public health. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in exotic and native Psittaciformes kept in captivity in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and to comparing the results obtained through the conventional bacteriological method and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using fecal matter collected from the environment, avoiding the containment stress. From August to September 2016, samples of fresh feces were collected from 90 cages in two breeding grounds, representing 180 birds. According to both analysis techniques the samples were negative for Salmonella spp., however, bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family: Escherichia coli, Cedecea sp. and Citrobacter freundii were detected. Continuous monitoring of breeding grounds is important since the pathogen investigated can be found in carrier birds and manifest itself in stressful situations presenting risks such as zoonosis and reduced bird health.摘要 众所周知，传染病可导致野生动物种群数量下降，部分传染病还可能对公共卫生构成威胁。本研究旨在调查巴西南里奥格兰德州中部地区人工饲养的外来及本土鹦鹉形目鸟类中沙门氏菌属（Salmonella spp.）的携带情况，并对比常规细菌学检测法与聚合酶链式反应（PCR）的检测结果，采样时采集环境粪便样本以避免笼养应激。2016年8月至9月期间，研究人员从两处繁育基地的90个笼舍中采集了对应180只鸟类的新鲜粪便样本。两种检测技术均显示样本沙门氏菌属呈阴性，但检出了肠杆菌科细菌：大肠埃希菌、西地西菌属及弗氏柠檬酸杆菌。由于本研究关注的病原体可在携带菌鸟类体内定植，并在应激状态下引发病症，带来人畜共患病传播及鸟类健康水平下降等风险，因此对繁育基地开展持续监测具有重要意义。