Examination of slurry from cattle for pathogenic bacteria

One hundred and eighty-seven samples of slurry from cattle were examined forthe presence of salmonellas, pathogenic leptospires and brucellas. Small numbers of salmonellas, generally less than 1/g., were isolated from 20 samples (11%). These were S. dublin (12), S. typhimurium (4), S. indiana (1), S. bredeney (1), S. cerro (1) and S. unnamed 4, 12:d:-(1). Leptospires were isolated from 56 samples (30%) but none was pathogenic for hamsters. No brucellas were isolated. The results of this survey are discussed in relation to the epidemiology of salmonellosis.