Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-CHK-15 standard review
Salmonella in young pigeons (squabs)
Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from squabs reveal multidrug resistance and a distinct pathogenicity gene repertoire.
Overview
Osman KM et al.. Rev Sci Tech 2014 · PMID 25812222 · DOI 10.20506/rst.33.3.2336
About one in eight squabs carried Salmonella, often multidrug-resistant.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Serotypes, virulence genes and resistance of Salmonella from squabs
- How was the study done?
Cross-sectional microbiological study of squabs
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
45 squabs; 6 isolates; Squabs (young pigeons)
- What was actually found?
6/45 (13.3%) positive; S. Typhimurium 4/6; all isolates resistant to lincomycin and streptomycin; multidrug resistance profiles.
- How large was the observed effect?
Descriptive
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Pigeon meat needs the same hygiene as chicken.
- What are the study's limitations?
Small sample
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Contradicts pigeon exception.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Moderate.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Small sample.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Osman KM et al.
- Journal
- Rev Sci Tech
- Year
- 2014
- Identifier
- PMID 25812222 DOI 10.20506/rst.33.3.2336
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
None stated
2. Research question
Serotypes, virulence genes and resistance of Salmonella from squabs
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study – Cross-sectional microbiological study of squabs
- Population
Squabs (young pigeons)
- Country
Not stated in abstract
- Period
Not stated
- Sample size
45 squabs; 6 isolates
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Sampled squabs
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Not applicable
- Comparator
Not applicable
- Endpoints
Salmonella prevalence; serotypes; resistance
- Statistical methods
Descriptive
5. Actual results
- Results
6/45 (13.3%) positive; S. Typhimurium 4/6; all isolates resistant to lincomycin and streptomycin; multidrug resistance profiles.
- Absolute risks
Not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Squab serotypes are significant causes of human food poisoning.
6. Strengths
- Addresses pigeons as food
7. Weaknesses
- Small sample
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Small convenience sample.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Wide uncertainty (n = 45).
10. Relevance to the specific claim
11. Independent contrary findings
Not applicable.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
Moderate.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Shows pigeons are not free of poultry pathogens.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | unknown |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Larger studies.