Carcasses In Slaughterhouses Research Articles

Tracking Campylobacter contamination along a broiler chicken production chain from the farm level to retail in China

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of Campylobacter species along a broiler production chain from farm to retail, and to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profile of Campylobacter isolates. A total of 259 Campylobacter isolates (C. jejuni n=106, C. coli n=153) were isolated from broiler ceca samples (72.5%, 103/142), broiler carcasses (34.1%, 46/135), and retail broiler meat (31.3%, 40/128) samples collected in Shanghai, China. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of six antimicrobials were determined using the agar dilution method. High prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin (C. jejuni: 99.1%;C. coli: 100%) and tetracycline (C. jejuni: 100%;C. coli: 98.7%) was detected among the C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. The vast majority of C. coli were resistant to clindamycin (92.2%), gentamicin (95.4%), and erythromycin (94.1%), but only 25.5%, 53.8%, and 16.0% of C. jejuni exhibited resistance to these three antimicrobials, respectively. In contrast, the prevalence of florfenicol resistance in C. jejuni (37.7%) was significantly higher than that in C. coli (7.8%) (P<0.05). It is noteworthy that all Campylobacter isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials, and 71.7% of C. jejuni and 98.0% of C. coli isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance (resistant to three or more antimicrobials). Fifty-five C. jejuni and sixty C. coli isolates, selected from different production stages, species, and antimicrobial resistance patterns, were analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), among which 15 unique PFGE patterns (PFGE patterns represented by a single strain) and 31 clusters (PFGE patterns represented by multiple strains) were detected. Furthermore, nearly all of the PFGE patterns of the Campylobacter strains isolated from retail broiler meats overlapped with those of the strains from ceca and slaughterhouse carcasses. Together, these findings revealed the high prevalence of Campylobacter species in a broiler chicken production chain, and the concerning situation of antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter species. The findings also indicated that Campylobacter isolates from retail broiler meats were associated with fecal contamination in the slaughterhouse, underlying the need for improved measures for reducing carcass contamination in slaughter plants.

Prevalence and characteristics of Escherichia coli strains producing extended-spectrum β -lactamases in slaughtered animals in the Czech Republic.

Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a global medical problem requiring close cooperation between veterinary and human physicians. Raw materials and foods of animal origin may be not only a source of pathogenic bacteria causing alimentary tract infections but also a source of bacteria with a dangerous extent of resistance to antibiotics, potentially entering the human food chain. This article presents results of the first study in the Czech Republic detecting the presence of Enterobacteriaceae-producing extended-spectrum b -lactamases (ESBLs) in swabs collected in slaughterhouses from surfaces of healthy animal carcasses. In 2012, swabs taken from pig (n = 166) and cattle (n = 140) carcass surfaces were analyzed. In 17 % of 53 studied slaughterhouses, ESBL-producing Escherichia coli strains were isolated. ESBLs were found in 11 and 4 % of porcine and bovine samples, respectively. Swabs collected from pigs yielded 18 ESBL-producing E. coli strains. The bla genes were found to encode production of CTX-M-1 group enzymes in 16 strains, SHV in one case, and both CTX-M-1-like and TEM in another case. In swabs taken from cattle, five ESBL-producing E. coli strains were isolated. In three cases, the bla genes for CTX-M-1-like production were identified; in two cases, genes for both CTX-M-1-like and TEM production were found. The similarity/identity of ESBL-positive isolates was compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. This is the first report and characterization of the presence and nature of ESBL-producing E. coli in swabs collected from surfaces of healthy pig and cattle carcasses in slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic.

Longitudinal Dissemination of Salmonella enterica Clonal Groups through the Slaughter Process of Salmonella-Positive Pig Batches

This study was conducted to assess the dissemination of Salmonella clonal groups in slaughterhouses that received batches of Salmonella -positive pigs and used different routine processing procedures. Eight serial sampling sessions were conducted in three slaughterhouses (A, B, and C). Blood was collected randomly (n = 25) from each batch of pigs and processed for serology. Carcasses (n = 12) were identified and sampled after dehairing, after singeing, after evisceration, and before chilling. A section of cecum also was collected. Salmonella isolates were submitted to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The overall seroprevalence of Salmonella was 80.6% (316 of 392 samples), and cecal contents were positive for Salmonella in 23.8% (26 of 109) of the pigs sampled. Carcasses after dehairing had a significantly higher prevalence of Salmonella (P = 0.004) and the highest Salmonella levels (median = 0.26 log CFU/300 cm(2)). The singeing step significantly affected the Salmonella status of the carcasses (P = 0.001); however, the efficacy of singeing differed among slaughterhouses. In the prechilling step, 14.7% (16 of 109) of the carcasses were positive for Salmonella. Salmonella pulsotypes found on the prechill carcasses were also found in the lairage, in the cecal contents, and on carcasses after dehairing, suggesting that the main source of contamination was the slaughter process before singeing. Slaughterhouse C was the most likely (odds ration [OR] = 6.51) to have pigs carrying Salmonella in the gut, and slaughterhouse B was the most likely (OR = 14.66) to have contaminated carcasses at the prechilling step. These findings indicate that the procedures adopted in slaughterhouse B contributed to the spread of Salmonella strains. In contrast, in slaughterhouse C the Salmonella strains carried by the pigs or found in the lairage were not recovered from prechilled carcasses, validating the effectiveness of the slaughterhouse interventions. These results indicate that an effective slaughter process can help decrease the number of Salmonella-positive carcasses in slaughterhouses that receive Salmonella-positive pig batches.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated in chicken slaughterhouses in Northern Greece.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. A total of 100 poultry samples (300 carcasses) were examined for Listeria spp. The samples were neck skin taken from four different slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. Forty samples were also taken from the environment of the slaughterhouses. Identification of L. monocytogenes was carried out by PCR and fingerprinting of the isolates by random amplified polymorphic DNA. L. monocytogenes strains isolated from chicken carcasses and from the environment of the slaughterhouses were also examined for antibiotic resistance. Fifty-five isolates of L. monocytogenes were tested for susceptibility to 20 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were present in 99 of the poultry samples tested (99%), and 38 yielded L monocytogenes (38%). L. monocytogenes was also isolated in 80% of samples from the environment of a certain slaughterhouse, while the other slaughterhouses were found to be contaminated only with Listeria spp. All isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid, the majority of them to clindamycin, and only a few to tetracycline and oxytetracycline, whereas they were found to be susceptible to all other antimicrobials. The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of L. monocytogenes contamination in chicken carcasses, and all isolates were found to be sensitive to the antimicrobials most commonly used to treat human listeriosis.

PREVALENCE AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF SALMONELLA SEROVARS FROM CHICKEN CARCASSES IN NORTHERN GREECE

ABSTRACTThis study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolates recovered from chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. A total of 150 broiler samples were examined for Salmonella spp. and the results were reported as presence or absence of Salmonella spp. The samples were neck‐skin taken from 450 poultry carcasses at four slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. Salmonella was present in 56 (37%) of the samples tested. A total of 142 isolates belonging to six serovars were detected. The most common serotype identified was Salmonella blockley (73.2%), followed by Salmonella paratyphi B (16.9%), Salmonella bredeney (6.3%), Salmonella neftenbach (1.4%), Salmonella hadar (1.4%) and Salmonella thompson (0.7%). Salmonella spp. isolated from chicken carcasses was also examined for antibiotic resistance. Fifty‐six isolates of Salmonella (one strain from each positive sample) were tested for susceptibility to 20 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. All isolates were resistant to four antimicrobials (penicillin, erythromycin, vancomycin and clindamycin) and the mass majority of them (more than 90%) to another three antimicrobials (tetracycline, oxytetracycline and streptomycin).The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of Salmonella spp. contamination in chicken carcasses and a large percentage of antimicrobial resistant strains.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study complements the limited and out‐of‐date research performed in Greece about the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from chicken carcasses. There is a high prevalence of Salmonella contamination in chicken carcasses in Northern Greece. Poultry meat must be considered as a possible cause of Salmonella poisoning and therefore it should be handled with care during its preparation, especially from the consumers. The Salmonella strains isolated from chicken carcasses are resistant to a significant percentage of the most commonly used antibiotics which confirm that poultry is a major reservoir of multiresistant Salmonella.

Staphylococcus aureus isolated from pork and chicken carcasses in Taiwan: prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility.

Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of many diseases in both humans and animals. This pathogen is also a major target in the screening of slaughterhouse carcasses to monitor hygienic conditions during slaughter. During 2004 to 2006, S. aureus was recovered from 8.8% (38 of 430), 11.3% (77 of 680), and 4.3% (13 of 300) of pork carcass samples, respectively, collected at 53 slaughterhouses in Taiwan. During 2003 to 2005, it was recovered from 0.3% (1 of 305), 0.4% (1 of 260), and 7.8% (31 of 395) of rinse fluids from chicken carcasses, respectively, collected at 17 meat processing plants. The minimum dilution method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility (MICs) of these strains (n = 103) as well as those collected from pork and chicken carcasses (n = 104) in a previous study beginning in 2000. All 207 strains were sensitive to nitrofurantoin and vancomycin. Over 50% were resistant to clindamycin (MIC that inhibited 90% of strains [MIC90] = 32 microg/ml) and tetracycline (MIC90 = 64 microg/ml). The percentages resistant to methicillin (oxacillin), chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tylosin were 19.4% (40 of 207), 18.8% (39 of 207), 23.2% (48 of 207), and 20.8% (43 of 207) with MIC90s of 8, 64, > or = 64, and > or = 128 microg/ml, respectively. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains exhibited resistance to more antibiotics than did the methicillin-susceptible strains, and 87.5% (35 of 40) of the MRSA strains carried the mecA gene sequence. Since MRSA infections have become a public health concern in both communities and hospitals, testing for the presence of MRSA in animal carcasses during slaughtering operations is warranted.

Detection of Salmonella spp. Isolates from Specimens due to Pork Production Chains in Hue City, Vietnam

From August 2007 until March 2008, we perfomed a detection and epidemiological analysis for Salmonella spp. in specimens collected from pork production chains to improve the quality of meat hygiene conditions in Hue, Vietnam. A total of 306 specimens were examined for Salmonella spp., aerobic bacterial counts and coliform. Seven serovars of Salmonella spp. were detected in retail pork, slaughterhouse carcasses and environmental specimens with the following detection rates: 32.8% of retail pork, 15.5% of slaughterhouse carcasses, 47.4% of floors, 38.1% of weighing bowls, 28.6% of cooking boards and 16.7% of tank water samples. Based on these results, we recommend that exhaustive sterilization, washing, routine bacteriological examinations and treatments at low temperature are performed in slaughterhouses, transportation facilities and retail stores.

Prevalence of Salmonella enterica serovars and genovars from chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Spain

To determine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica serovars in chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Spain and to examine genotypic relations among these serovars. A total of 336 chicken carcasses were collected from six slaughterhouses in Northwestern Spain. Salmonellae were isolated (ISO-6579-1993), serotyped, phage-typed, ribotyped and antibiotyped against 20 antibiotics. Salmonella strains were detected in 60 (17.9%) carcasses. Isolates belonged to nine different serotypes, with Salm. Enteritidis being the most common. Three strains (5%) were resistant to one antibiotic and 24 (40%) were multi-resistant (to more than one antibiotic). The most frequently encountered resistances were to sulphamides, fluoroquinolones and tetracycline. Ribotyping was able to differentiate isolates of the same serotype and phage type. The Salmonella serotypes and phage types detected are among those most frequently associated with human diseases in Spain. The large percentage of antimicrobial resistant strains is a matter for concern. A high genetic relationship between strains from different slaughterhouses was found. This study provides detailed information about Salmonella isolates from poultry in Spain. It emphasizes the importance of controlling this pathogen in poultry products, and suggests the need for more prudent use of antibiotics.

An In Vitro System for the Comparison of Excision and Wet-Dry Swabbing for Microbiological Sampling of Beef Carcasses

An in vitro system for the comparison of wet-dry swabbing and surface tissue excision was developed to ascertain whether the commonly accepted statement of the advantage (in terms of bacterial recovery) of the tissue excision method is also legitimate when different kinds of bacteria are used. A total of 1,770 sections (2.5 by 10 cm) of bovine skin were individually inoculated on the subcutaneous fat side by spreading various suspensions of marker organisms (nalidixic acid–resistant Escherichia coli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) at different concentrations and sampled by two standard methods: cotton wet-dry swabbing and excision. Most counts from cuts sampled by excision were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the wet-dry swabs; however, no differences were observed between the control and the sampling method when sections were inoculated with bacterial solutions at a concentration of 103 CFU/ml and sampled by excision. For sections inoculated with bacterial solutions at a concentration of 103 CFU/ml, counts given as log CFU/25 cm2 ranged from 1.97 (S. aureus sampled by wet-dry swab) to 3.06 (S. aureus sampled by excision). For sections inoculated at a concentration of 104, counts given as log CFU/25 cm2 ranged from 2.15 (E. faecalis sampled by wet-dry swab) to 3.19 (S. aureus sampled by excision). For sections inoculated at 105, counts given as log CFU/25 cm2 ranged from 2.94 (E. faecalis, wet-dry swab) to 3.98 (S. aureus, excision), and for sections inoculated at 106, counts given as log CFU/25 cm2 ranged from 3.53 (E. coli, wet-dry swab) to 4.69 (S. aureus, excision). The proposed system, which enabled a considerable amount of samples to be analyzed under controlled experimental conditions and a large number of data to be generated in a short time, demonstrated among the tested microorganisms that whereas the excision method recovered the highest number of bacteria, control means were always (with the exception of an inoculum of 103/ml) significantly higher than means from either of the sampling methods. Our results indicate that particular attention should be paid to the diverse microflora that can contaminate carcasses in a given slaughterhouse and that it is not appropriate to generalize by saying that the destructive method is the reference technique for the bacteriological sampling of carcasses in slaughterhouses, especially when the contamination is higher than 103 CFU/25 cm2.

The establishment of critical control points at the washing and air chilling stages in poultry meat production using multivariate statistics

The selection of control points is one of the most important steps in the design of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system. Total Count, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae are microorganisms frequently analyzed on carcasses in slaughterhouses. Its usefulness can be assessed by means of univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In this study, the use of these microbiological parameters for verification of the effect of the stages of washing with pressurized water and air chilling has been evaluated. It makes clear that multivariate statistics appears as a valuable tool to check which points and stages of the process must be controlled, demonstrating that the washing stage produces significant decreases in contamination (so it must be considered a CCP). The air chilling stage maintains the decrease in the contamination as the carcasses come out of the washing process. This is due to the control of temperature under adequate limits. The chiller air temperature would be considered a CCP in a HACCP system.

Multivariate study of the decontamination process as function of time, pressure and quantity of water used in washing stage after evisceration in poultry meat production

In poultry production, the washing stage takes place after the gutting stage. In the washing stage the carcasses are cleaned with pressurised water in order to remove any remains of blood, dirt and feathers on the skin, to reduce the superficial contamination, and to avoid subsequent drying in the freezers. This step is an important phase in the productive line because of its usefulness and its cost, since water is an expensive product and, sometimes, in short supply. Total Count, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus are microbial groups frequently analysed on carcasses in slaughterhouses. Their usefulness as index of microbiological quality can be assessed by means of univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In this study the influence of the washing stage on the superficial contamination of the chicken carcasses is shown with regard to the following factors: the water pressure, the amount of water and the length of the washing stage. It makes clear that multivariate statistics appears as a valuable tool for designing and implementing quality control systems, demonstrating that the contamination decreases significantly due to the effect of the washing stage and the water pressure. Time and amount of water variations do not affect the microbiological variables except for the Pseudomonas, which are affected by the amount of water and time variation but not by pressure variation.

Cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: cattle act as reservoirs of a sheep strain and may contribute to human contamination

In Algeria, cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious economic and public health problem. The common sheep/dog cycle is usually considered as the major source of human contamination. But to date the main strain of Echinococcus granulosus involved in the human contamination and the role of other hosts are still unknown. This paper reports an original work performed in northern Algeria combining field observations and molecular analysis. In a first step, examination of 6237 carcasses in slaughterhouses showed high infection and fertility rates in cattle and dromedaries. Then, in a second step, we used a molecular biology approach to identify the E. granulosus strain(s) involved. Forty-six samples from various origins were collected. They were analysed using comparison of PCR-amplified DNA sequences with one genomic (BG 1/3) and two mitochondrial (COI and NDI) targets. Results show the presence of a “sheep” strain of E. granulosus in North Algeria circulating between cattle and ovines and infectious to humans, whereas in South Algeria, a “camel” strain and a “sheep” strain were found to circulate in camels and in sheep, respectively. This study also reports an ambiguous genotype which resembled the “sheep” strain genotype (Gl) on the basis of the partial COI gene sequence, whereas on the basis of the partial NDI gene sequence, it was similar either to the “sheep” strain (Gl) or to the “camel” strain (G6). Besides its basic interest, our study confirms the role of other hosts (mainly cattle) in leading to transmission to humans and suggests that control measures should not only target sheep.

Comparison of enterococcal populations in animals, humans, and the environment - a European study

The objectives of the present study were to generate knowledge of enterococcal populations in the food chain, by studying the population structure (in measures of abundance and diversity) among enterococci in different geographical regions and in different parts of the food chain, as well as the similarities between different enterococcal populations. Altogether, 2868 samples were collected from humans (healthy and hospitalised individuals and clinical isolates), animals (slaughterhouse carcasses and farm animals), and the environment (pig farms, sewage, and surface water) in four European countries—Sweden, Denmark, UK, and Spain. The samples were characterised with regard to presence and numbers of enterococci, and eight (for faecal samples) or 24 (for environmental samples) isolates per sample were phenotyped and preliminarily identified with the PhP-RF system. In total, more than 20,000 isolates were typed. A majority of the samples (77%) showed the presence of presumed enterococci. The diversities of enterococci in environmental samples were generally high, and also faecal samples normally showed presence of more than one enterococcal strain. The most common species found were Enterococcus faecium (33%), E. faecalis (29%), and E. hirae (24%), but different enterococcal populations differed in their species distribution. Clinical isolates, hospitalised patients, and hospital sewage in Sweden showed a clear dominance of E. faecalis (80%, 57%, and 54%, respectively) whereas healthy individuals and urban sewage contained less E. faecalis (39% and 40%, respectively). The species distribution among isolates from slaughterhouses varied between animal species and also between countries, but E. faecalis seemed to be mainly associated with broiler, and E. hirae with cattle and pigs. The results from the study have indicated a simplified method to study the diversity of bacterial populations. Instead of collecting many samples and analysing one or a few isolates per sample, it is possible to collect fewer samples and analyse several isolates per sample. Both approaches yielded similar information on the diversity of the populations. Another useful information was that since samples from hospital sewage, urban sewage, and manure contained enterococcal populations that reflected those in faecal samples of hospitalised patients, healthy humans, and animals, respectively, such samples may be used as pooled faecal samples and may replace cumbersome samplings from many individuals.

Epidemiology and ecology of enterococci, with special reference to antibiotic resistant strains, in animals, humans and the environment: Example of an ongoing project within the European research programme

The objectives of the present study are to generate knowledge of the ecology and epidemiology of enterococci in the food chain by studying the following: (1) the population structure (in measures of abundance, number of vancomycin resistant strains, antibiotic resistance patterns, diversity, and stability) among enterococcal populations in different geographical regions and in different links of the food chain (2) possible transmission of strains through the food chain and between hospital environments and the food chain (3) the association between vancomycin resistance and individual strains of enterococci and (4) the diversity of the drug resistance genes in enterococci. So far, 1578 samples have been collected from different countries within the EU (Sweden, Denmark, UK and Spain), and from different habitats (pig farms, carcasses in slaughter houses, soil, manure, water, sewage, and humans). Total and vancomycin resistant enterococcal populations in each sample have been enumerated and more than 12 000 isolates have been characterised by phenotyping. Representative isolates are further species identified and characterised by genotyping and MIC determination and from antibiotic resistant isolates the resistance genes are characterised.