Prevalence, Drug Resistance and Survival of Salmonella in eggs

This research has been taken up to see whether Salmonella contamination, especially that of S. Enteritidis, is a major problem in the different types of eggs that are consumed in various parts of India. Different types of eggs such as those from commercial layer hen, back yard raised hen, duck and Japanese Quail were analysed for Salmonella and the confirmed isolates were serotyped at National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Central Research Institute, Kasauli, India. The results revealed that unlike in many other countries S. Enteritidis does not pose a major threat in commercial layer hens' egg in India, though more diverse serotypes of Salmonella were encountered in these samples. However, Salmonella contamination in duck egg contents were found to be frequent especially with S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis, which could pose health hazard to unwary consumers in rural India, who prefer to consume this type of egg. Multiple antibiotic resistance was common among most isolates of Salmonella. Efficacy of spices extract in controlling the Salmonella in eggs were found to vary with the type of egg.