First detection of Salmonella dublin in cow milk by real-time PCR and associated risk factors in Khanchela Province, Eastern of Algeria.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Dublin is a cattle-adapted serotype that poses significant health risks to humans and calves. This study determined the prevalence of Salmonella dublin in milk from dairy cows in Algeria using real-time PCR and analyzed associated risk factors. Two hundred thirty milk samples from 31 cattle farms in the Khenchela region were analyzed using real-time PCR targeting the vagC gene. A questionnaire-based survey identified potential risk factors. Results showed S. dublin detection in 9.56% (22/230) of milk samples (95% CI: 5.76-13.37%). Risk factor analysis identified poorly maintained water troughs (OR = 3.43, P < 0.05) as significant factor and younger age (< 4 years, OR = 2.22, P < 0.05) as a tendency for S. dublin positivity. These findings indicate considerable presence of S. Dublin in bovine milk in Algeria, emphasizing transmission risks to humans and calves. Real-time PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and effectiveness for detection. The identification of significant risk factors provides important indicators for necessary preventive measures, including enhanced farm hygiene, milk quality monitoring, and safer calf feeding strategies.