Summary

In this study, carcass, intestine, liver, gall bladder and spleen samples of chickens slaughtered at an abattoir in the Elazig province were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. The identity of Salmo-nella spp. was further proved by culture and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 1250 samples were tested. All samples were collected from different commercially reared chicken flocks. Chicken carcasses, intestines, livers, gall bladders and spleen were found positive with proportions of 12%, 7.2%, 4%, 2 % and 1.6 % respectively, by both culture and PCR. The Salmonella detection rate was the highest (12%) in chicken carcasses and the lowest (1.6%) in spleen. This study showed that Salmonella spp. was widespread among the chicken population in Elazig. Key words: chicken, culture, PCR, Salmonella spp