Source: American Association of Swine Veterinarians
Nontyphoidal Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen with diverse serotypes occurring in animal and human populations. The prevalence of the organism on swine farms has been associated with numerous risk factors, and although there are strong veterinary public health controls for preventing Salmonella from entering food, there remains interest in eradicating or controlling the organism in the pre-harvest environment.

In this study, using data collected via the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System Swine 2012 study, we describe nontyphoidal Salmonella and specific serotype prevalence on U.S. grower-finisher swine operations is described and associations between Salmonella detection and numerous factors investigated via multiple correspondence analysis and regression analysis.

MCA plots, complementary to univariate analyses, display relationships between covariates and Salmonella detection at the farm level. In the univariate analysis, Salmonella detection varied with feed characteristics and farm management practices, reports of diseases on farms and vaccinations administered and administration of certain antimicrobials.

Results from the univariate analysis reinforce the importance of biosecurity in managing diseases and pathogens such as Salmonella on farms. All multivariable regression models for the likelihood of Salmonella detection were strongly affected by multicollinearity among variables, and only one variable, pelleted feed preparation, remained in the final model.

The study was limited by its cross-sectional nature, timelines of data collection and reliance on operator-reported data via a convenience sample.

Bjork KE, Fields V, Garber LP, Kopral CA; Factors Associated with Salmonella Prevalence in U.S. Swine Grower-Finisher Operations, 2012; Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2018 May 15. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2017.2364. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 29762053 DOI.