SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM AND ESCHERICHIA COLI IN POULTRY ENVIRONMENT UNDER DIFFERENT THERMAL CONDITIONS

The survival period of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (NTCC1106) were evaluated in a variety of poultry environment including rations (starter and finisher), litter (new and old) as well as agricultural soil. The obtained results revealed that, the moisture contents of the experimental media were fluctuated between 11.23 to 28.74% at starting of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, it was recorded that the moisture content was reduced to 3.02 - 8.03% and 3.19 - 6.56% at 38 and 25°C, respectively. On the other hand, it was detected that both tested pathogens, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli were survived more longer in soil than in poultry feeds and litter. In this respect it was found that, both the organisms S. Typhimurium and E.coli were survived for 42 and 39 weeks at 25°C while they were survived for 16 and 14 weeks at 38 °C,respectively. The longevity of tested Salmonella typhimurium in starter and finisher poultry rations was 10 and 17 weeks at 38 and 25 °C, while survival of E.coli reached 11 and 10 weeks at 38 °C in poultry feed and litters, respectively. Moreover, its survival was prolonged to 18 weeks at 25°C for both starter and finisher poultry rations. Furthermore the obtained results demonstrated that, longevity of the tested microbes were relatively short in both new and old poultry litter. However S. typhimurium showed persistence between 11 and 12 weeks at 38 °C and from 13 to 14 weeks at 25 °C, while E.coli survival was fluctuated between 12 to 13 at 38 °C and 14 to 15 weeks at 25 °C. In general, it was concluded that survival of S. typhimurium was longer in poultry rations than poultry litter at 25 °C. With the same manner the longevity of both microbes was relatively prolonged in new poultry litter than the old one. Hygienic measures for prevention or even minimizing contamination of poultry environment were discussed.