Hog Mandibular Lymph Node Abnormalities and Bacteriological Contamination at Slaughter in Canada

André Ravel,Jean-Robert Bisaillon,Pascal Moreau,Boubacar Yoro Sidibé

doi:10.5539/jfr.v4n6p113

André Ravel, Jean-Robert Bisaillon + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v4n6p113

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Abstract

In the context of meat inspection modernization, the current mandatory incision and visual inspection of all hog mandibular lymph nodes (MLNs) to detect signs of infection by Mycobacterium bovis, a zoonotic infection is examined. Canadian data of MLN pathology and microbial contamination are scarce and the performance of the current regulatory inspection of MLNs in actually detecting lesions and contamination by Mycobacterium bovis has not been documented. A survey of MLN condition in market hogs according to various inspection schemes was undertaken to fill the data gap. One MLN of a representative sample of 149 483 hogs were submitted to standard pathological and bacteriological analyses. Actual abnormal MLNs actually were rare (below 8%). They are often under detected by the current inspection because of limited sensitivity (18%). Such abnormalities, even undetected, have very limited, if any, impact on human health since the pathological and microbiological analyses failed to provide evidence of Mycobacterium bovis infection. On the other hand, MLNs can be contaminated with several bacteria potentially pathogenic to humans, raising the risk of cross-contamination during the inspection with incision. Finally, the current incision and visual inspection of all hog MLNs and the proposed visual-only inspection perform similarly in identifying abnormal MLNs.

Highlights

The main purpose of meat inspection is to detect and prevent public health hazards such as food-borne pathogens and chemical contaminants in meat
mandibular lymph nodes (MLNs) can be contaminated with several bacteria potentially pathogenic to humans, raising the risk of cross-contamination during the inspection with incision
In total 8,700 MLNs were visually inspected for grossly detectable abnormalities (GDA) and collected for laboratory analyses, 527 MLNs were collected without any inspection for laboratory analyses, whereas the other MLNs underwent the regulatory inspection resulting in 508 MLNs being considered as having GDA and set aside for laboratory analyses

Summary

Introduction

The main purpose of meat inspection is to detect and prevent public health hazards such as food-borne pathogens and chemical contaminants in meat. The inspections conducted at this time, and since, have been based on a traditional inspection approach This is based on organoleptic techniques, whereby hazards in the meat are detected using the senses of sight, touch and smell. Hazards to health have changed, but meat inspection has largely followed the same traditional approach. Hazards such as tuberculosis and brucellosis have been greatly reduced through control measures. Current hazards, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Streptococcus and Yersinia, are not being adequately addressed. These hazards cannot be detected macroscopically during a traditional meat inspection, resulting in public illness. It is necessary that meat inspection evolves to match the hazards of the current age

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