A survey of Salmonella serovars and most probable numbers in rendered-animal-protein meals: inferences for animal and human health.

Salmonellae are resourceful and adaptive organisms that infect a broad range of diverse hosts. Serovars of the genus were first isolated in a poultry mash in 1948, thus establishing a need to assess the pertinence of Salmonella organisms in animal protein feed ingredients. In the study reported here, a random-sampling scheme was established to evaluate the Salmonella population level by three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) analysis and serovar identity over a period of one year. The results provide evidence of the limited relatedness of animal protein meals in the complex cycle of feed contamination and likely subsequent transmission of disease to animals or humans through the feed chain.