摘要：Introduction. Salmonella is a ubiquitous pathogen that can infect host species, like wildbirds, rodents, and/or arthropods, which may transmit infection to domestic animals andhuman population.Aim. In order to assess the related risk, a cross-sectional study was performed on 1114carcasses of wild animals from a north-eastern area of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy.Materials and methods. During post mortem examination, intestine samples were cultured.A statistical analysis demonstrated that there is no correlation between the presenceof sub-clinically infected animals and greater human population density. In contrast,a significant correlation between the number of carcasses positive for Salmonellaspp. and greater spatial density of pig, poultry, and cattle farms was observed (p < 0.01).Results. The results of the present study show that wild animals with omnivorous feedinghabits are particularly exposed to Salmonella colonization and, consequently, to spreadingthe organism. Regarding drug resistance, this study confirms the resistance to antimicrobialsis increasing in commensal and environmental isolates.
