Egg production systems and Salmonella in South America

Abstract

The growth of the poultry industry in South America has been explosive in recent years. More than 238 million layers are located in South America producing more than 4 million tons of eggs. Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia are the most important egg producers in this region. Nonenriched cage systems are not prohibited in South America and most of the laying hens are located in battery cage farms, which include automatic and conventional (manual) battery cage systems. Salmonella Gallinarum and Salmonella Enteritidis are the most prevalent serotypes in layer farms. South American countries have different regulations to control Salmonella in their flocks through various National Poultry Improvement Plans. This control is focused on S. Gallinarum biovars Gallinarum and Pullorum, S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, and S. Heidelberg. Inactivated (killed) and attenuated (live) vaccines are available to control Salmonella spp. in poultry in South America, but there are some differences in licensed vaccines.