Detection of Salmonella organisms and assessment of a protocol for removal of contamination in horse stalls at a veterinary teaching hospital.

The research article discusses assessment methodologies for detecting Salmonella organisms in horse stalls at a veterinary teaching hospital, and evaluates the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection protocols. The findings suggest Salmonella organisms were more frequently detected in drain areas, corners, and cracks of the stalls, and certain disinfectants were effective in eradicating the bacteria.

Research Methods

• The study focused on 37 horses suffering from potential Salmonella infections and their respective stalls at a veterinary teaching hospital.
• Fecal samples were obtained from these horses daily throughout their time in the hospital, and samples from various locations within the stalls were collected after cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
• These samples, both from the horses and the environment, were cultured to detect and grow Salmonella spp (a term meaning multiple species of Salmonella bacteria) and tested via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to identify DNA specific to Salmonella.

Results and Conclusion

• The study found that Salmonella was present in fecal samples from 9 out of 34 horses through bacteriological culture, and in 23 samples via the PCR assay.
• Out of environmental samples from 21 separate stalls, Salmonella bacteria were discovered at least once in 6 out of 78 instances, and at least once in 69 out of 77 instances via the PCR assay.
• Salmonella DNA was detected more often in samples taken from stall drains, cracks, and corners.
• Three stalls continued to yield cultures of Salmonella spp even after two cleaning and disinfection cycles. However, no organisms were detected after the application of a peroxygen disinfectant.
• The study concludes that in order to prevent the spread of salmonellosis, stalls previously housing horses with this infection should only be used for new hospital admissions after two extensive cleaning and disinfection cycles. These stall areas specifically should be the corners, cracks, and drains and should yield negative results on bacteriological culture to confirm the absence of Salmonella.