Presence of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in Wild Small Mammals on Organic Farms

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.1.960-962.2006
• Publication Date: 2006-01-03T20:33:36Z
• Authors: B. G. Meerburg; W. F. Jacobs-Reitsma; J. A. Wagenaar; A. Kijlstra
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; mice; salmonella; Animals, Wild; Rodentia; Health and welfare; Poultry; strains; Rodent Diseases; 03 medical and health sciences; organic farming; small mammals; Salmonella; Campylobacter Infections; Animals; Animal Husbandry; 2. Zero hunger; Salmonella Infections, Animal; poultry; Shrews; campylobacter; Campylobacter; infection; jejuni; rats; Production systems; Pigs

ABSTRACT

The presence of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in rodents and insectivores ( n = 282) was investigated on organic farms. Infections were encountered in house mice (8 of 83 Campylobacter positive and 1 of 83 Salmonella sp. strain Livingstone positive) and brown rats (1 of 8 Campylobacter positive) but not in other species. No shared Campylobacter genotypes were found between rodent and pig manure isolates. Effective on-farm rodent management is recommended.