Carcasses In Slaughterhouses Research Articles

Isolation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli from the Surfaces of Beef Carcasses in Slaughterhouses in Japan

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide. It is necessary to control and prevent STEC contamination on beef carcasses in slaughterhouses because STEC infection is associated with beef consumption. However, the frequencies of STEC contamination of beef carcasses in various slaughterhouses in Japan are not well known. Herein, we investigated the contamination of beef carcasses with STEC in slaughterhouses to assess the potential risks of STEC. In total, 524 gauze samples were collected from the surfaces of beef carcasses at 12 domestic slaughterhouses from November 2020 to February 2023. The samples were measured for aerobic plate counts and tested for pathogenic genes (stx and eae) and major O-serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157) by real-time PCR screening. Subsequently, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) was performed on samples positive for stx, eae, and at least one of the seven O-serogroups of STEC. Isolation process without IMS was performed on samples positive for stx, including those subjected to IMS. STEC O157:H7 and stx-positive E. coli other than serotype O157:H7 were isolated from 0.6% and 4.6% of beef carcass surfaces, respectively. Although the STEC O157:H7 isolation rate was low and stx-positive E. coli other than serotype O157:H7 belonged to minor O-serogroups, the results mean a risk of foodborne illness. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was observed between aerobic plate counts and detection rates of stx-positive samples by real-time PCR screening. The STEC O157:H7 isolated facilities showed higher values on aerobic plate counts and detection rates of stx-positive samples than the mean values of total samples. Therefore, these results suggest that it is important to evaluate hygiene treatments against beef carcasses for the reduction of STEC contamination risk, particularly in facilities with high aerobic plate counts.

Detection of high-risk Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from broilers in São Paulo, Brazil.

Some high-risk Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) clones have been associated with increased economic losses caused by avian colibacillosis. They may represent an additional food consumption concern due to the potential zoonotic role causing urinary tract infections mainly related to E. coli ST73 and ST95 lineages. This study aimed to characterize APEC isolated from slaughterhouse carcasses presenting lesions compatible with avian colibacillosis. We analyzed about 6500 broilers carcasses, and 48 showed lesions consistent with colibacillosis. Forty-four strains of E. coli were isolated, with 77.27% (n = 34/44) classified as APEC. The isolates belonged to the phylogenetic groups B2 (41.17%, n = 14/34), G (20.59%, n = 7/34), A (17.65%, n = 6/34), B1 (8.82%, n = 3/34), and E (5.88%, n = 2/34). Determining the phylogenetic group of 5.88% (n = 2/34) of the strains was impossible. Moreover, 20.59% (n = 7/34) were positive to the clonal groups ST117, 8.82% (n = 3/34) to ST95, and 8.82% (n = 3/34) were classified as belonging to serogroup O78 by PCR screening. Strains of APEC from O78 serogroup and ST117 are considered high-risk clones for poultry, and our data reinforced the need for surveillance of these pathogens in poultry farms and slaughterhouses.

The impact of slaughter practices on the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry carcasses in slaughterhouses in Bamako (Mali)

This study, carried out between October 2016 and June 2018, aimed to assess the impact of slaughtering practices on the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry carcasses slaughtered in Bamako markets. It involved 8 slaughterhouses grouped into two categories (A and B). Slaughterhouses classified in category A (75%) were characterized by unsatisfactory hygienic practices. On the other hand, those classified in category B (25%) respected certain principles and standards of slaughter. The prevalence of Salmonella observed in category A slaughterhouse (15.97%) is high compared to that of category B (7.29%). The results of this study have made it possible to establish that the risk factors at the origin of the contamination of poultry products are, among other things, the non-application of basic hygiene rules in the markets and at the level of poultry slaughterhouses, the non-application of good slaughtering practices and the use of rudimentary instruments for slaughtering.

The impact of slaughter practices on the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry carcasses in slaughterhouses in Bamako (Mali)

The impact of slaughter practices on the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry carcasses in slaughterhouses in Bamako (Mali)

Profiles of Non-aureus Staphylococci in Retail Pork and Slaughterhouse Carcasses: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Genetic Determinant of Fusidic Acid Resistance.

As commensal colonizers in livestock, there has been little attention on staphylococci, especially non-aureus staphylococci (NAS), contaminating meat production chain. To assess prevalence of staphylococci in retail pork and slaughterhouse carcass samples in Korea, we collected 578 samples from Korean slaughterhouses (n=311) and retail markets (n=267) for isolation of staphylococci and determined antimicrobial resistance phenotypes in all the isolates. The presence of and prevalence of fusB-family genes (fusB, fusC, fusD, and fusF) and mutations in fusA genes were examined in fusidic acid resistant isolates. A total of 47 staphylococcal isolates of 4 different species (Staphylococcus aureus, n=4; S. hyicus, n=1; S. epidermidis, n=10; Mammaliicoccus sciuri, n=32) were isolated. Fusidic acid resistance were confirmed in 9/10 S. epidermidis and all of the 32 M. sciuri (previously S. sciuri) isolates. Acquired fusidic acid resistance genes were detected in all the resistant strains; fusB and fusC in S. epidermidis and fusB/C in M. sciuri. Multi-locus sequence type analysis revealed that ST63 (n=10, 31%) and ST30 (n=8, 25%) genotypes were most prevalent among fusidic acid resistant M. sciuri isolates. In conclusion, the high prevalence of fusB-family genes in S. epidermidis and M. sciuri strains isolated from pork indicated that NAS might act as a reservoir for fusidic acid resistance gene transmissions in pork production chains.

Risk factors associated with the presence of Mycobacterium bovis in macroscopic lesions suspected as being caused by bovine tuberculosis detected in slaughterhouses

Mycobacterium bovis is a bacterium belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex that causes tuberculosis in cattle and in other domestic and wild animals, as well as in humans. Disease control measures are carried out by slaughtering animals tested positive in the intradermal tuberculinization test and sanitation of their original living spaces, in addition to epidemiological surveillance carried out through the sanitary inspection of bovine carcasses in slaughterhouses. In the latter, official inspection services collect samples from macroscopic lesions suspected of bovine tuberculosis, which are then sent for laboratory analysis. Knowledge concerning the variables associated with the occurrence of M. bovis can aid in decision-making regarding control and disease eradication efforts. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for a positive M. bovis diagnosis in suspected bovine tuberculosis lesions obtained during epidemiological surveillance activities in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. A total of 105 suspicious lesions were analyzed using the Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested q-PCR) method, of which 14 (13.33%) tested positive for M. bovis. Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses indicated that the variable “animal slaughter” was the only risk factor presenting statistical significance associated with the diagnosis of M. bovis (p < 0.05), demonstrating that macroscopic lesions suspected as being caused by bovine tuberculosis from animals with an in vivo diagnosis were 2.82 - fold more likely to result in a positive M. bovis diagnosis by molecular tests.

Frequency, territorial distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella spp. on bovine cattle feces from the Altos Sur region of Jalisco State, Mexico

Multidrug resistance is a global public health problem. In 2017, in Mexico, Salmonella caused 192,771 foodborne zoonosis cases. Sonora, Hidalgo, Mexico State and Jalisco have reports of multi-resistant Salmonella strains in chicken and beef carcasses in slaughterhouses; however, the prevalence in livestock herds is unknown. From January 2012 to October 2013, 144 diarrheal stool samples were collected from bovine hatchlings from the Altos Sur region of the Jalisco State. As a result, the presence and serotype of Salmonella was determined, as well as the antibiotic resistance profile, and the genetic relationship, using PFGE. The Salmonella prevalence was 4.16 % (6/144) in feces, identifying the serotypes Anatum, Pullorum, Poona, Typhi, Gallinarum and Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae. All the strains showed resistance to ampicillin, cephalothin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and some of them, additionally, to amikacin, cefotaxime and/or ceftriaxone. In addition, the persistence and potential spread of two Salmonella Anatum strains was discovered in one herd. This is the first study conducted in neonate bovine in the Jalisco State, Mexico, to detect multidrug resistant Salmonella. Continuous monitoring of multi-drug resistance in animal biota for human food and ongoing training of veterinary doctors are key elements for efficient prophylaxis and antimicrobial pharmacotherapy.

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in Chicken Carcasses in Slaughterhouses from South of Brazil.

Campylobacteriosis has become common cause of diarrhea in humans and is associated with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Reactive Arthritis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome is caused mainly by contaminated food and water intake in which the majority occurs from manipulation, preparation and consumption of poultry meat. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter in chicken carcasses from slaughterhouses located in the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul in the South of Brazil. The samples were analyzed for Campylobacter enumeration using the ISO method 10272-2 and the species C. jejuni and C. coli, important for public health, were identified through Maldi-TOF mass spectrometry. From July 2017 to July 2018, 816 samples were analyzed, indicating the prevalence of 35.84%, with higher occurrence of C. jejuni (78.47%). No difference in prevalence was observed in relation to the size of the slaughterhouses. However, significant differences were noted among the three states in the southern region of the country, with the lowest prevalence being observed in Parana. The results reinforce the need to advance in the implementation of strategies to control this pathogen in the country, in order to safeguard consumer's health and contribute for the maintenance of Brazil's position in the international poultry meat market.

Estudo retrospectivo da tuberculose bovina no estado do Maranhão: 2013 a 2018

The bovine tuberculosis is a worldwide disease, being one of the mains zoonosis identified in frigorific slaughterhouses. The economic lost are related to low productivity, fall in the food conversion, reproduction and the conviction of carcasses in slaughterhouses, therefore, the control meods of this disease in Brazil are defined by the normative from the Progama Nacional de Controle e Erradicação de Brucelose e da Tuberculose Animal (PNCBET), instituted in 2001 by the Ministério de Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. This progam evolves the detection and slaughter of reagentes animals, with base in the intradermal test, based in the hypersensibility reaction provoked by the inoculation of the microbacterial antigen. The objective of this work was realized a retrospective study of state of Maranhão based in the acess to the Sistema de Informações Gerenciais dos Serviços de Inspeção Federal and th survey of data from cases of bovine tuberculosis in monthly relatories of collect by autonomous veterinaries habilitaded in the PNCEBT. The data foun by this study shows the importancy of the disease in a state scope, being that the conviction of carcasses in frigorific slaughterhouses in the time period of January, 2013 to December, 2018, was a total of 75 conviction with destination to grease, representing a prevalence of 0,003% and the data of cases of bovine tuberculosis in monthly maps from autonomous veterinaries abilities in PNCEBT relative to the time period from 2013-2018 was from 20 positive animals in a total of 207.557 examined animals with prevalence of 0,009%. Though the prevalence data being low, we can claim that the disease is endemic in Maranhão by virtue of absence of a state serological inquiry about the disease. Concludes that the bovine tuberculosis has great sanitary importance in the state of Maranhão.

Perda econômica das principais causas de condenações totais de carcaças suínas em abatedouros frigoríficos supervisionados pelo SIF em Santa Catarina de 2010 a 2018

Objetivou-se nesse estudo analisar e determinar a perda econômica das principais causas de condenações totais de carcaças de suínos em abatedouros frigoríficos que são fiscalizados pelo Serviço de Inspeção Federal no estado de Santa Catarina para o período de 2010 a 2018. A perda econômica foi calculada a partir da multiplicação da quantidade de carcaças condenadas totalmente pelo rendimento médio de carne por carcaça e o preço médio anual do quilo de carne suína e os valores monetários foram atualizados para o ano de 2018 por meio do IGP-DI. Os resultados encontrados indicaram uma perda econômica de R$1,65 bilhão para o total de condenações totais de carcaças suínas e as principais causas foram a contaminação (R$ 481,67 milhões), nefrite (R$508,42 milhões), cisto urinário (R$229,05 milhões), pericardite (R$111,65 milhões) e migração larval (R$217,16 milhões). Os principais fatores associados para a ocorrência das condenações totais de carcaças suínas estão as falhas operacionais ocorridas durante a etapa de evisceração e a ocorrência de doenças parasitárias ou infectocontagiosas nos animais. Sendo assim, recomenda-se a adoção de boas práticas de produção e o treinamento de funcionários nos abatedouros frigoríficos para minimizar esse tipo de perda na produção de carne suína em Santa Catarina.

Serodiagnosis of Przhevalskiana spp. Infestation in Goats Using a Competitive ELISA.

Goat warble-fly infestation is one of the parasitic diseases caused by the larvae of przhevalskiana spp. It is known to be a major challenge for health and welfare in infested goats and causes high economic losses in livestock worldwide. The detection of goat grub was previously conducted by direct palpation of second and third stage larvae in the back and flank site of the live animals or visual evaluation of the carcasses in slaughterhouses. However, due to the small size of the first instar larvae of przhevalskiana (less than 1 mm during emerging from the egg), some of the infected cases were ignored and recorded as negative samples. Immunodiagnostic procedures as easy and cost-effective diagnostic methods provide early detection of myiasis in living animals (even when the larvae are still migrating or are undetectable in the animal body).This study was conducted to evaluate the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system in order to detect the antibodies of przhevalskiana larvae in the goat sera. In order to prepare the larval antigen, 200 first instar larvae of przhevalskiana were collected from the subdermal region of the back and flanks of the infested goats in Khoramabad slaughterhouse, Khoramabad, Iran, from September 2017 to March 2018. Totally, 37 and 46 sera samples were taken from the infected and uninfected goats. The sensitivity and specificity at cut-off 3SD were obtained at 89.18% and 84.78%. Moreover, the measures of inter-and intra-assay coefficients of variability to express the precision or replicability of ELISA kit results were 5.33% and 2.81%, respectively.

Risk factors associated with Salmonella spp. prevalence along smallholder pig value chains in Vietnam

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, Salmonella contamination along the smallholder pig value chain in northern Vietnam. Repeat cross-sectional (for farm and pork shops) and longitudinal (for slaughterhouses) studies were carried out in Hung Yen and Nghe An provinces in four sampling periods over a year (April 2014 to February 2015).In total, 72 pig farms and 217 pork shops were visited during the period, and 13 slaughterhouses were visited four times. Information on management and hygiene practices was collected using checklists and questionnaires, and risk factor analyses at the farm, slaughterhouse, and pork shop levels were performed using generalized mixed-effects models with the significant levels 10%.Salmonella prevalence was 36.1%, 38.9%, and 44.7% on pig pen floors, pig carcasses in slaughterhouses, and cut pork in pork shops, respectively. The risk factor for Salmonella prevalence on pig pen floors were having a pig pen next to a household (p = 0.06) and free access to the farm by visitors (p = 0.06). Our slaughterhouse model found a single risk factor for carcass contamination: slaughter area close to lairage without hygienic measures (p = 0.03). For pork shops, presence of flies or insects on pork at shop (p = 0.02) and use of a cloth at pork shop (p = 0.02) were risk factors. The Salmonella prevalence on pig carcass and cut pork was significantly lower in winter compared to that in other seasons. Our study results highlighted the need of improving farm hygiene at farm level, and pork hygiene practices to avoid cross-contamination at the slaughterhouse and market levels, to reduce the risk of salmonellosis through pork consumption in northern Vietnam.

Prevalência e susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de sorotipos de Salmonella spp. isolados de frangos vivos e carcaças no estado do Rio de Janeiro

RESUMO: A presença de Salmonella spp. em produtos de origem avícola e seus subprodutos se mostra um grande desafio para a produção comercial. Dados de prevalência, dos sorotipos circulantes e do perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de cepas de Salmonella spp. no Estado do Rio de Janeiro são escassos. Portanto, objetivou-se detectar a presença Salmonella spp. em frangos vivos e carcaças em matadouros do Estados do Rio de Janeiro, identificar os sorotipos e avaliar a susceptibilidade antimicrobiana dessas cepas para fluoroquinolonas e betalactâmicos. Foram coletadas 60 amostras cloacais de frangos vivos e 60 amostras de carcaça de seis matadouros sob Inspeção Estadual (SIE). Os isolados foram sorotipificados e testados frente a oito antimicrobianos: enrofloxacina, ciprofloxacina, norfloxacina, cefalotina, ceftiofur, cefotaxima, amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico e ampicilina pelo método de difusão em disco. Os resultados mostraram uma prevalência de Salmonella spp. de 1,66% (1/60) em amostras de suabe de cloaca e de 26,66% (16/60) em carcaças. Em amostras de suabe de cloaca, somente o sorotipo Senftenberg (1,66%) foi isolado. No total, foram isolados sete sorotipos diferentes nas carcaças: Senftenberg (15%) o mais frequente, seguido por Mbandaka (8,3%), Schwarzengrund (3,3%), Cerro (3,3%), Ohio (3,3%), Minnesota (1,66%) e Tennessee (1,66%). Em relação à susceptibilidade antimicrobiana, 29 (87,87%) isolados foram sensíveis a todos os antimicrobianos testados e 4 (12,12%) isolados foram resistentes a pelo menos três antimicrobianos betalactâmicos ou mais. Não foi observada resistência às fluoroquinolonas. Os resultados encontrados demonstram uma prevalência de Salmonella spp. acima da esperada em matadouros do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, além da presença de vários sorotipos de Salmonella spp. A resistência encontrada para betalactâmicos alerta para a disseminação dessas cepas pela cadeia alimentar.

The existence of Listeria monocytogenes in a cattle slaughterhouse and identification of serotypes by mPCR

This study was carried out to investigate the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in samples obtained from a slaughterhouse in Samsun, Turkey. A total of 300 samples (25 samples per month) analyzed by Immunomagnetic Separation (IMS) based on conventional culture method. Then isolates were verified and serotyped by PCR using specific primers. According to the analysis, a total of 18 isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes. Distribution of these isolates were as; 5 isolates (serotype 1/2b or 3b) from 1 cattle carcass, 5 isolates (serotype 1/2b or 3b) from 1 knife, 2 isolates (serotype 4b or 4d, 4e) from 1 knife sharpener, 5 isolates (serotype 1/2a or 3a) from 1 floor sample, 1 isolate (serotype 1/2a or 3a) from 1 cowhide, respectively. As a result, carcasses are considered to pose a hazard to public health due to L. monocytogenes contamination. The development of slaughterhouse conditions and production technology, improving the education level of employees in food safety issues, prevention of contamination of foodborne pathogens to carcasses in slaughterhouses and implementation of effective sanitation methods should be provided

Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and genetic diversity of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni in Ecuadorian broilers at slaughter age

Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. are a major cause of foodborne gastrointestinal infections worldwide. The linkage of human campylobacteriosis and poultry has been widely described. In this study we aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and genetic diversity of C. coli and C. jejuni in broilers from Ecuador. Caecal content from 379 randomly selected broiler batches originating from 115 farms were collected from 6 slaughterhouses located in the province of Pichincha during 1 year. Microbiological isolation was performed by direct plating on mCCDA agar. Identification of Campylobacter species was done by PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline, streptomycin, and erythromycin were obtained. Genetic variation was assessed by RFLP-flaA typing and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) of selected isolates. Prevalence at batch level was 64.1%. Of the positive batches 68.7% were positive for C. coli, 18.9% for C. jejuni, and 12.4% for C. coli and C. jejuni. Resistance rates above 67% were shown for tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid. The resistance pattern tetracycline, ciprofloxin, and nalidixic acid was the dominant one in both Campylobacter species. RFLP-flaA typing analysis showed that C. coli and C. jejuni strains belonged to 38 and 26 profiles respectively. On the other hand MLST typing revealed that C. coli except one strain belonged to CC-828, while C. jejuni except 2 strains belonged to 12 assigned clonal complexes (CCs). Furthermore 4 new sequence types (STs) for both species were described, whereby 2 new STs for C. coli were based on new allele sequences. Further research is necessary to estimate the impact of the slaughter of Campylobacter positive broiler batches on the contamination level of carcasses in slaughterhouses and at retail in Ecuador.

Antibacterial activity of Timsen® (n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride-40%) in scalding and precooling water in poultry slaughterhouses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a product based on n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride-40%, marketed as Timsen®, during scalding and precooling of poultry carcasses in slaughterhouses. To this end, three poultry slaughterhouses (A, B and C) were evaluated. The product was added (200ppm) to the scalding (58°C) and precooling water (4°C), and microbiological analyses were performed of the water and the poultry carcasses before and after Timsen® addition. The product controlled the multiplication of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, both in the scalding as in the precooling water. In a comparison of carcasses soaked in Timsen®-treated scalding and precooling water with carcasses soaked in untreated water, the count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms in the later was higher and thermotolerant coliform was not detected in samples of carcasses soaked in Timsen®-treated water. When the scalding and precooling water was not treated with the product, Listeria spp. was isolated from poultry carcasses of two slaughterhouses (A and C), while these microorganisms were not detected when Timsen® was applied. The use of Timsen® in the scalding and precooling water enhanced the safety and control microbial contamination of poultry carcasses.

A set of indicators to better characterize beef carcasses at the slaughterhouse level in addition to the EUROP system

The EUROP classification system that is used in European slaughterhouses to characterize beef carcasses includes only a small number of general indicators (category of animal, conformation score, fat score and hot carcass weight). Consequently, the interests of stakeholders in the production chain (breeders, slaughterers and retailors) are not considered. The aim of this study was to propose a set of indicators, in addition to the EUROP system, to characterize beef carcasses in slaughterhouses in a more precise way that considers the interests of the different stakeholders in Europe. To this end, all of the key variables used in the scientific literature (n = 142 articles from 2010 to 2015) were considered as candidate indicators to characterize beef carcasses. An exhaustive list was used to identify eighty-nine candidate indicators that were organized according to a hierarchical structure to identify the elements underlying the characterization of a carcass. These elements were the animal, carcass and tissue characteristics and the technological and economic values. Indicators were selected based on the hierarchical structure according to their citation ranking in the literature and by ensuring that they were not redundant to the EUROP system. In addition, an expert appraisal was performed to ensure their relevance and feasibility in the European context. Finally, a set of 5 indicators was proposed: hindquarter weight, meat colour, retail-cut yield, rib-eye area and marbling score. Three of these (‘meat colour’, ‘rib-eye area’ and ‘marbling score’) are already used in several current classification grids and may thus be fully implementable. The other two can be obtained by measurement or estimation. This set of indicators is the first step in developing a new way to assess the overall quality of beef carcasses in Europe.

Quantitative risk assessment of human salmonellosis in the smallholder pig value chains in urban of Vietnam.

To quantify salmonellosis risk in humans through consumption of boiled pork in urban Hung Yen Province, Vietnam, using a quantitative microbial risk assessment. We collected 302 samples along the pork value chain in Hung Yen between April 2014 and February 2015. We developed a model in @Risk, based on microbiological, market, and household surveys on cooking, cross-contamination and consumption, and conducted sensitivity analysis. Salmonella prevalence of pen floor swabs, slaughterhouse carcasses and cut pork were 33.3, 41.7 and 44.4%, respectively. The annual incidence rate of salmonellosis in humans was estimated to be 17.7% (90% CI 0.89-45.96). Parameters with the greatest influence risk were household pork handling practice followed by prevalence in pork sold in the central market. Wide confidence interval in the incidence estimate was mainly due to the variability in the degree of reduction in bacteria concentration by cooking, and pork consumption pattern. The risk of salmonellosis in humans due to boiled pork consumption appears to be high. Control measures may include improving the safety of retailed pork and improving household hygiene.

Evaluation of a synthetic peptide from the Taenia saginata 18 kDa surface/secreted oncospheral adhesion protein for serological diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis

Bovine cysticercosis is a zoonotic infection widely spread throughout Brazil, creating a burden on hygiene maintenance and the economy. Diagnosis of cysticercosis usually relies on post mortem inspection of carcasses in slaughterhouses. This detection method provides only low sensitivity. Recent advancements have improved the performance of serologic tests, such as ELISA, providing greater sensitivity and specificity. The objective of the current study was to identify and evaluate a synthetic peptide derived from the Taenia saginata 18kDa oncospheric surface protein for the diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis in ELISA. Test performance of the identified peptide was compared to an ELISA based on a heterologous crude Taenia crassiceps antigen (Tcra), widely used for the sero-diagnosis of bovine cysticercosis. Based on the primary sequence of an in silico structural model of the 18kDa protein, an epitope region designated EP1 was selected (46-WDTKDMAGYGVKKIEV-61). The peptide derived from this region yielded 91.6% (CI=80–96%) sensitivity and 90% (CI=82–95%) specificity when used in an ELISA, whereas the crude antigen yielded 70% (CI=56–8%) sensitivity and 82% (CI=73–89%) specificity. Thus, we conclude that EP1 has higher diagnostic potential for detecting bovine cysticercosis than the crude antigen Tcra.

Tuberculosis diagnostic methods in buffaloes

São crescentes as perdas econômicas com baixa na produtividade dos rebanhos bubalinos e a condenação de carcaças em matadouros devido à tuberculose, uma vez que os animais não podem ser tratados e devem ser descartados em abates sanitários. A doença tem impacto econômico e social para a cadeia produtiva do agronegócio brasileiro, além de ser uma zoonose de ampla distribuição. Assim como os bovinos, o búfalo é sensível ao Mycobacterium bovis, principal agente da tuberculose zoonótica. A ocorrência da tuberculose nessa espécie tem sido relatada em diversos países, inclusive no Brasil. Para controle e erradicação dessa enfermidade entre os bovinos e bubalinos no Brasil, o Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA) instituiu o Programa Nacional de Controle e Erradicação da Brucelose e Tuberculose (PNCEBT), cujo principal objetivo é, por meio de métodos confiáveis, obter significativo número de rebanhos livres dessas doenças, em todo o território nacional. Esta revisão reuniu os principais dados referentes ao histórico da ocorrência de M. bovis nos rebanhos do Brasil e aos métodos diagnósticos da doença em búfalos. Na literatura faltam dados relativos à tuberculose bubalina e com o incremento da criação desses animais e de sua importância econômica, notou-se evidente necessidade de estudos e pesquisas relativos à ocorrência e identificação da tuberculose nessa espécie.