Isolation and Antibiogram of Salmonella spp. from Quails in a farm from Kelantan, Malaysia

Salmonellosis is a major public health problem around the world affecting both animals and humans. A
study was carried out to elucidate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and antibiogram of the isolates in quails in
a commercial farm located in Kelantan, Malaysia using cloacal swabs and standard isolation techniques for
Salmonella species and the standard disk diffusion method for the antibiotic sensitivity tests. Ninety quails in
two groups of 45 each, aged 3 weeks and 2 months, were sampled using sterile cotton swabs and transport
media. The results showed that the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the quails was 11.11% (CI= 6.19, 19.28)
and all the isolates were resistant to ampicillin. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the
prevalence of Salmonella spp. in birds aged 3 weeks compared with the birds aged 2 months using Chi square at
95% confidence level. The positive identification of Salmonella spp. in quails may have public health
implications due to the rising outbreak of Salmonella spp. associated food poisoning cases. The resistance of the
Salmonella spp. to ampicillin which is a common antibiotic in man and animals adds weight to the growing call
for the prudent use of antibiotics in human and animal populations around the globe. Farms and food handlers
should maintain strict hygiene to protect public health at all times.