Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella from German broiler farms and slaughter establishments

496 strains of Salmonella had been isolated out of faecal- and neck skin sa mples within a research project on the occurrence of Salmonella in German b roiler flocks and poultry meat. 165 of these Salmonella strains (33.3 %) sh owed resistance to at least one of the 12 tested antimicrobials in suscepti bility testing by agar diffusion method. Moreover, 78.8 % of resistant stra ins found to be resistant to three or more antibiotics. The resistance levels of Salmonella varied among five regions of Germany, p robably caused by the isolation of different Salmonella serovars. Resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides or tetracyclines was detected in app roximately 20 % of all tested isolates and 8.8 % of Salmonella strains foun d to be resistant to chloramphenicol, although this antibiotic is not autho rised for use in food animals. Additionally, molecular biological analysis identified a plasmid coded tran sferable resistance factor for ampicillin in S. Blockley. The present data underline the importance for implementation of a monitorin g programme for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin in Ge rmany. Moreover, the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance requires a prudent use of antimicrobial agents, especially in food animal production.