Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Salmonella spp. Isolated from pigs and their farm environment in Korea.

This study's objective was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs and their farm environments in Korea, and to investigate the relationship between the strains based on their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. A total of 36 Salmonella spp. were isolated in this study: 18 isolates from 492 pigs (3.7%) and 18 isolates from 418 (4.3%) farmhouse environmental samples from 16 different pig farms. Of the Salmonella strains isolated from the numerous environmental samples, the highest prevalence was observed in slurry or manure, followed by partitions, farmer's hands, floors, water/ nipples, ventilation sources, and feed, respectively. All the Salmonella isolates originating from different farms were genetically distinct. In three farms, however, identical phage types and pulse-field gel electrophoresis patterns were observed among Salmonella isolates from pig feces and environmental samples. This study suggests that environments contaminated with Salmonella could pose an infection risk to pigs on pig farms.