Cattle Slaughterhouse Research Articles

Occurence and antimicrobial resistance of Arcobacter species in food and slaughterhouse samples

The objectives of this study were i) to isolate Arcobacter species (Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, Arcobacter cryaerophilus) from different foods and sources, ii) to verify the isolates by multiplex PCR assay, iii) to detect the antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates. In this study a total of 60 Arcobacter isolates were obtained. Arcobacter species were mostly isolated from swab samples (40%), followed by wastewater (29.1%), broiler wing meat (30%), raw milk (23.9%) and minced meat (6.6%). Regarding the seasonal distribution of Arcobacter from swab and wastewater samples, the bacterium was commonly isolated from wastewater in winter and spring, while it was frequently detected in swab samples during autumn and spring. All of the isolates were found to be resistant to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, rifampin, and erythromycin. The most effective antibiotic was tetracycline, because 96.66% of the isolates were susceptible against it. This is the first report of the isolation, seasonal distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of Arcobacter species in cattle slaughterhouse samples in Turkey. These results indicate that foods of animal origin and cattle slaughterhouses are significant source of the antimicrobial resistant arcobacters.

Phylogenetic analysis of Hepatitis E virus strains isolated from slaughter-age pigs in Colombia

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic virus that causes acute hepatitis in humans, and can be transmitted via the fecal–oral route. Pigs are considered to be a reservoir for this infection—mainly where the disease is not endemic. In a previous study conducted in Antioquia, which is a region in Colombia where the production and consumption of pork meat is higher than in the rest of the country, the presence of anti-HEV IgG-type antibodies was reported in slaughter-age pigs. Aiming to identify the HEV genotype circulating in swine, animal liver, and feces samples from five swine cattle slaughterhouses located in six different sub-regions of Antioquia were collected. A nested RT-PCR (nRT-PCR) was used in order to amplify the HEV ORF-1 (170bp) and ORF-2 (348, and 958bp). The amplicons yielded in this study were sequenced, and a molecular phylogeny analysis based on the maximum likelihood method, including HEV sequences reported in several countries, was performed. Phylogeny analysis revealed that HEV amplification fragments from Antioquia's pigs were grouped in three clades within the sub-genotype 3a without a specific geographical structure, and were also genetically related to Japanese and American HEV sequences. This analysis provides the first approach on the genetic diversity and circulation dynamics of HEV in Colombian herds.

English

This study aimed to evaluate the growth of two species and one eucalyptus hybrid irrigated with different wastewaters. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized split-plot experimental design with three replications. The effluent included: Urban source, beef cattle slaughterhouse, poultry/swine slaughterhouse and soy processing/dairy plant from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In the subplot, the wastewater was diluted to the concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. In the subplot, two species (Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus urophylla) and a eucalyptus hybrid (Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis) were tested. The following physiological attributes were evaluated: mortality, root area, leaf area, stem diameter, plant height, green matter mass and dry matter weight. The results showed that the water from the beef cattle slaughterhouse WWTP, at 50% concentration, impaired growth of genotypes and promoted higher mortality values. As the concentrations of the four wastewater types increased, there was a significant variation for all characteristics except for: leaf area, plant height and dry matter weight with the soy processing/dairy WWTP water. The tested waters might be used in seedling irrigation of the two Eucalyptus plant species and the hybrid. Key words: Sewage sludge, water reuse, seedling production.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle and some other domestic and wild hosts on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica.

BackgroundCorsica is a mountainous French island in the north-western Mediterranean presenting a large diversity of natural environments where many interactions between domestic animals and wild fauna occur. Despite a favourable context for ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs), the tick fauna of Corsica has not systematically been investigated.MethodsFor one year (May 2014-May 2015), a survey of ticks infesting cattle was performed in the three Corsican cattle slaughterhouses. Two of these were visited monthly and one quarterly; the ticks were manually collected, just after flaying. Ticks were identified on their morphology; when necessary, some specimens were also molecularly identified by sequencing mitochondrial cox1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and 16S ribosomal RNA genes and ITS2 (internal transcribed spacer 2). During the same period, ticks from other domestic animals (small ruminants, horses, domestic carnivores) and wild animals (wild boars, mouflons, deer) were occasionally collected.ResultsA total of 1,938 ticks was collected from 264 of 418 cattle examined, reared in 86 different localities. Eight tick species were found infesting cattle: Rhipicephalus bursa (56.1 %), Hyalomma marginatum (21.5 %), Hy. scupense (8.7 %), Ixodes ricinus (5.7 %), Haemaphysalis punctata (4.8 %), Rh. sanguineus (sensu lato) (2.3 %), Rh. (Boophilus) annulatus (0.7 %) and Dermacentor marginatus (0.2 %). The cattle infestation rate remained high all year (more than 50 %). Several tick species showed seasonal variation of their activity. From other Corsican animals 1,196 ticks were collected. Comparing ticks collected from cattle with those found on other animals, several host preferences were shown. A noteworthy record is that of a few Ha. sulcata on mouflons which were mainly infested by Rh. bursa.ConclusionThe Corsican tick fauna is characterized by typical Mediterranean species (Rh. bursa and Hy. marginatum), but the mild climate and diversified environment provide satisfactory habitats both for species usually found in dry areas (Hy. scupense) and species usually collected in humid areas (I. ricinus).

POTENSI BEBAN PENCEMAR (PBP) AIR ASAL LIMBAH PETERNAKAN DI KOTA BANJARMASIN

The research aims to identify and inventory the potential pollutant sources and calculate the pollutant load from livestock waste water in the river that passes through the city of Banjarmasin. The study was conducted based on a survey sampling and determination of the observation point in the five districts in the city of Banjarmasin. Determination of pollutant sources is observed Coli total, N total, P total and BOD. The results showed that lead to type activity peternakann Barito waste in the watershed and includes Martapura and slaughtering of livestock farming in both the RPH, RPU, and other cattle abattoir. Estimates of potential pollutant load (PBP) from livestock waste in the city of Banjarmasin include pollutant source in the form of Colli total reached 20.07 x 109/day, N Total 2.62 kg day, P Total 1.26 kg/day and BOD reaching 1018.93 kg/day. Key words: potential pollutant loads, livestock waste, river, Banjarmasin

Main reasons for condemnation of kidneys from cattle that were slaughtered at the Municipal Abattoir Itabuna, Bahia

Inspection of cattle slaughterhouses is important because knowledge of conditions found during slaughter allows the selection of carcasses that have better quality and diagnosis of diseases that can be transmitted by consumption. It was accompanied by the slaughter of cattle in 1002 in the City of Slaughterhouse Itabuna, Bahia. 2004 kidneys were evaluated, of whom 980 were convicted. The slaughtered animals were aged between 24 and 36 months, and there was no difference between males and females. Found during the evaluation of diseases of the kidneys, the more frequent bladder weakness corresponding to cysts (45.9%), followed by lesions characteristics of nephritis (38.7%). Other convictions occurred due to circulatory changes as congestion (10.2%) and stroke (5.2%). There were no convictions caused by error handling parts. This work aimed to describe the main reasons for condemnation of kidneys from cattle that were slaughtered at the Municipal Abattoir Itabuna, Bahia, through macroscopic evaluation during the sanitary inspection.

Utilizing Composted Beef Cattle Manure and Slaughterhouse Waste as Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers for Calcareous Soil

ABSTRACTEffectively utilizing composts requires that their nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents be used as fertilizer, but how this is best accomplished is not fully understood. The authors' objective was to quantify N and P availability of a calcareous clay loam soil receiving composts derived from four contrasting beef cattle feedlot feedstocks applied at 50, 150, and 450 mg total P kg−1 and supplemented twice with fertilizer N for a 42-week greenhouse plant bioassay. Three composted manures from beef cattle fed distinct diets and a composted mix of slaughterhouse and construction waste were applied. Inorganically fertilized and non-amended soils were included as controls. Canola (Brassica napus L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) were grown in pots containing 1.5 kg air-dried soil for six alternating 7-week cycles. Soils amended with composted manure from beef cattle fed typical finishing diets had the lowest apparent N recovery (31%) and the greatest soil nitrate after 42 weeks (25 mg N kg−1). Phosphorus availability was greater with composted manure from beef cattle fed distillers' dried grains than composted manure from beef cattle fed typical finishing diets and a composted mixture of slaughterhouse and construction waste. Apparent P recovery (66%) was greatest from composted manure of beef cattle fed corn (Zea mays L.) distillers' dried grains applied at 50 mg total P kg−1. Composted manure from beef cattle fed distillers' dried grains had greater P availability than conventional composted beef cattle feedlot manure. Overall, performance of the composted mixture of slaughterhouse and construction waste was similar to the composted beef cattle manures.

Diagnostic and Epidemiologic Study of Human Brucellosis at Al-Najaf province

Background: Maltese fever is one of the dangerous occupational diseases for dairy producers, processor and staff cattle slaughterhouse, veterinarians and laboratory personnel. Infection accompanies a wide range of clinical symptoms that require the use of effective diagnostic tests. The choice of the epidemiological diagnosis in the region and the decision of the infection depends on the size of the infestation., Clinical information provided by the patient must include the geographical area, work type Was traveling to rural areas or affected countries this disease Is a family member with the disease, treatment he takes the patient what is positive and negative impact on the patient. Germ Malta fever tend to tissue rich in blood vessels Aims of study: The study aims to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of the population according to gender and age. And the study of the property and the sensitivity of the two tests, the first is the use of a conventional test (Rose Bengal), and modern molecular technique (RT- PCR) and compare the two results. Methodology: Type of study is a diagnostic study includes 41 blood samples of patients with suspected Malta fever, in both gender diagnosed questionable, the ages were between 14-45 years. Patients were attending to the province of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf of rural area surrounding the governorate and the center of the province, and attend private clinic on January to December 2015 in order to evaluate serum infection of Malta carried out using serological testing and technology of molecular test method Results: A total of 41 patients with suspected brucellosis had been included in this study. The most frequent age group was more than 35(29.3%) years. The percentage to an urban cases were (58.54%) and the percent of rural area. Brucellosis, variations during one year shows positive predictive value=50%, Negative predictive value=95.2% and Accuracy =73.1 % of diagnosis of serological compared to Real time, PCR proportion of 41 patients. High sensitivity (90.9 %) has detection of Brucellosis by Real Time PCR, and the Specificity=66.7%. Conclusion: Estimated incidence in most regions injury (rural areas) may be less compared to the younger population. Medical safety is very important in the laboratory. Organization of the CDC classifies Iraq in high incidence areas with Malta fever. Recommendations: Avoid unpasteurized hand milk products and fresh milk which is not boiled. Clinical laboratories must be under the terms of health safety when isolate the pathogen. And early treatment of the disease at the onset of clinical signs of the disease eliminates protect against chronic doubled.

Prevalance, Morphology, and Molecular Characterization of Sarcocystis heydorni Sarcocysts from Cattle (Bos Taurus) in China.

Cattle are intermediate hosts for 2 zoonotic species of Sarcocystis, Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni. Here we report S. heydorni from cattle for the first time in China. Sarcocysts of S. heydorni were found in muscle from 173 of 1,630 (10.6%) cattle in abattoirs (9.7% in skeletal muscles, 3.4% esophagus, 2.5% diaphragm, and 0.1% tongue; heart muscle was negative). By means of light microscopy, S. heydorni sarcocysts were thin-walled (<1 μm). Using transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall had short (0.3-0.5 × 0.5-0.9 μm) stubby protrusions, the tips of which contained electron-dense, disk-shaped plaques, similar to the sarcocyst wall type 29b. In preliminary transmission attempts, a human volunteer did not excrete sporocysts in feces after ingesting 579 sarcocysts S. heydorni isolated from cattle. Phylogenetic analysis using the 2 molecular markers (18S rRNA gene and mitochondrial cox1 gene) indicated S. heydorni shared the closest affinity with species of Sarcocystis, which employ ruminants as intermediate hosts and canids as definitive hosts.

Investigating the welfare, management and human-animal interactions of cattle in four Indonesian abattoirs

AbstractThis study reports novel information on the animal handling, management and human-animal interactions in Indonesian cattle abattoirs. The slaughter of 304 cattle was observed and there was a high percentage of re-stuns in all abattoirs (range: 8-18.9%) when compared to a variety of international auditing guidelines. The average stun-to-neck cut time was within international recommendations (average: 9 s; range: 4-15 s). Time spent in lairage varied between animals and facilities and was compliant with international guidelines. Handling times were extremely variable (2 s-23 min 40s), but were only weakly correlated with a variety of handler techniques including the total number of handler interactions (sum of visual, auditory and tactile interactions, suggesting that long handling time does not increase handler interactions. There was a moderate correlation between the subjective handling scale and most of the objective behaviours, indicating that this may be a useful way to summarise handler behaviour in future assessments. The current study provides novel information about animal welfare in Indonesian abattoirs and highlights that management practices at the four abattoirs generally comply with international standards. The results also suggest that the subjective handling scale was moderately associated with the frequency of handler interactions, and so may be a useful measure of handler behaviour.

Molecular Typing of Eimeria ahsata and E. crandallis Isolated From Slaughterhouse Wastewater.

Molecular Typing of Eimeria ahsata and E. crandallis Isolated From Slaughterhouse Wastewater.

Recovery of energy and nutrient resources from cattle paunch waste using temperature phased anaerobic digestion

Cattle paunch is comprised of partially digested cattle feed, containing mainly grass and grain and is a major waste produced at cattle slaughterhouses contributing 20–30% of organic matter and 40–50% of P waste produced on-site. In this work, Temperature Phased Anaerobic Digestion (TPAD) and struvite crystallization processes were developed at pilot-scale to recover methane energy and nutrients from paunch solid waste. The TPAD plant achieved a maximum sustainable organic loading rate of 1–1.5kgCODm−3day−1 using a feed solids concentration of approximately 3%; this loading rate was limited by plant engineering and not the biology of the process. Organic solids destruction (60%) and methane production (230LCH4kg−1 VSfed) achieved in the plant were similar to levels predicted from laboratory biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing. Model based analysis identified no significant difference in batch laboratory parameters vs pilot-scale continuous parameters, and no change in speed or extent of degradation. However the TPAD process did result in a degree of process intensification with a high level of solids destruction at an average treatment time of 21days. Results from the pilot plant show that an integrated process enabled resource recovery at 7.8GJ/dry tonne paunch, 1.8kgP/dry tonne paunch and 1.0kgN/dry tonne paunch.

Tumores em bovinos encontrados em abatedouros frigoríficos

Resumo: Numa pesquisa em abatedouros a procura de lesões em bovinos, realizada de janeiro de 2011 a julho de 2014, 544 foram encontradas, das quais 65 eram neoplasmas. Quarenta e dois porcento desses tumores eram de origem mesenquimal; 37% eram epiteliais; 14,5% eram derivados da crista neural; 5% eram tumores do cordão sexual; e 1,5 eram tumores originários do sistema nervoso periférico. O tumor mais frequentemente encontrado foi o linfoma (28% de todos os tumores), a maioria dos casos como parte do complexo leucose bovina enzoótica. O carcinoma de células escamosas foi o segundo tumor mais frequente (15% de todos os tumores). É chamada a atenção para a frequência desses tumores e para a sua importância no diagnóstico diferencial no abatedouro frigorífico entre eles e outras lesões importantes, incluindo as lesões granulomatosas da tuberculose. Houve uma ocorrência significativa do feocromocitoma adrenal (13% de todos os tumores). Papilomatose representou apenas 3% de todos os tumores. Como papilomas são comuns em bovinos, seu baixo número nesse estudo pode ser explicado pelo fato de que eles não são usualmente diagnosticados no exame post mortem (quando o couro já foi retirado da carcaça), mas sim no exame ante mortem, como ocorreu na maioria dos casos deste estudo. Tumores encontrados com menor frequência (cada um perfazendo entre 1.5 e 3% de todos os tumores) incluíram adenocarcinoma apócrino misto da cauda, adenocarcinoma mamário, adenocarcinoma uterino, carcinoma de células renais, fibroma interdigital, hemangiossarcoma, leiomioma uterino, lipoma, lipossarcoma, mesotelioma, neurofibroma, tumor de células da granulosa, tumor estromal gastrointestinal, tumores hepáticos, tumores melanocíticos, e tumores pulmonares primários. Pretende-se que os resultados dessa pesquisa possam ajudar na identificação das lesões na inspeção oficial em matadouros frigoríficos.

Application of the mixed-solvent BID-SDME technique for determination of some stilbene hormones in water downstream of a cattle slaughterhouse, using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

ABSTRACTThis article reports the application of a mixed-solvent ‘bubble-in-drop single drop micro-extraction’ method for pre-concentration of stilbene hormones – hexestrol and diethylstilbestrol from the water sample collected downstream of the cattle slaughterhouse. The optimised conditions for extraction included 75% chloroform–toluene mixture, 2:1 drop–bubble ratio, 10% NaCl, pH 5.5 and 20 min of static extraction. The extraction demonstrated sufficient linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9992), reproducibility and reliability (%RSD < 10%). The enrichment factors between 3218 and 3987 were observed under optimised conditions using the real samples. The observed limit of detection values were in the range of 0.025–0.075 ng/mL using the S/N ratio approach, while the limit of quantification values were in the range of 0.083–0.25 ng/mL. These values are comparable or lower than those reported in the available literature. Application of the method to real samples from the stream did not detect any analytes. These results, however, do not free the slaughterhouse operators from the requirement that they maintain necessary measures to prevent potential pollution of water bodies if these hormones are indeed used, and could still be active in the animal at the time of slaughtering.

Genotypic and antimicrobial characterization of pathogenic bacteria at different stages of cattle slaughtering in southern Brazil

Meat can be contaminated in different stages of the slaughtering process and the identification of these stages is the starting point to implement adequate control measures. The objectives of this study were to assess the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in cattle carcasses, to identify the most important contamination points of the slaughtering process, and to evaluate the possible risk factors related to them in a cattle slaughterhouse. To this aim, 108 cattle carcasses were sampled at three stages of the slaughtering process: Point 1 (hides after bleeding); Point 2 (carcasses after hide removal); and Point 3 (carcasses immediately after division). Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Livingstone were isolated from the carcasses. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization indicated that there was cross-contamination among animals, since bacteria with identical genotypic and phenotypic profiles were isolated from different animals at the same sampling day. Furthermore, this is the first report about the isolation of E. coli O157:H7 in a bovine slaughterhouse from southern Brazil.

Bacterial Quality and Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in Edible Offal from Slaughterhouses in Korea

Edible offal meats have recently received significant attention worldwide. However, studies evaluating the microbial quality of diverse edible offal and specifically investigating contamination by pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses are rare. Our study was conducted to investigate the microbiological quality of six kinds of edible offal produced from 11 pigs and 8 cattle slaughterhouses in the Republic of Korea and the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in these products. The values for aerobic plate counts, coliform counts, and E. coli counts in red offal were 1.00 to 6.70, 0 (below 10 CFU) to 4.78, and 0 to 4.00 log CFU/g, respectively. For green offal, the values were 3.00 to 7.00, 1.48 to 6.30, and 0 to 6.00 log CFU/g, respectively. The most frequently detected foodborne pathogen was Salmonella (23.8% prevalence in pig offal and 7.1% prevalence in cattle offal), followed by C. perfringens (11.1 and 7.1%, respectively) and S. aureus (12.7 and 2.4%, respectively). None of the offal samples tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Considering the microbial quality of offal from Korean slaughterhouses and the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in this material, more refined hygienic standards such as a hazard analysis critical control point system for processing, packing, and transporting edible offal are necessary for preventing further contamination.

Prevalence of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Enterobacteriaceae on Hands of Workers in Halal Cattle Abattoirs in Peninsular Malaysia.

Several occupational diseases of multiple origins are encountered among abattoir workers. Presence of indicator microorganisms (coliforms) on hands of workers can be used a gauge for hygienic practices. A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of E.coli and enterobacteriaceae among Halal abattoir workers in some government halal abattoirs of Malaysia. A total of one hundred and sixty-five hand swab samples were collected from workers of Halal abattoirs in Malaysia. The samples were subjected to microbiological analysis for characterisation and serotyping. The results have shown that no Escherichia coli O157:H7 was isolated on the hands of abattoir workers before and after work. However, a total prevalence of 9.7% was recorded for all samples during work. For non-O157:H7, total prevalence of 33.3% during work and 13% after work were obtained. High prevalence was recorded in sample taken during work from Tampin, Jasin and Kemaman (100% each) while low prevalence where observed in Shah Alam, Banting and Ipoh (20% each). Based on the findings the hygienic practices of hand washing among the workers in few locations was found to be low especially after work.

What is the effect of mandatory pasteurisation on the biogas transformation of solid slaughterhouse wastes?

The effect of mandatory pasteurisation on Category 3 offals, according to the Animal By-Products Regulation (ABPR 1069/2009/EC), was determined using Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays as well as kinetic and statistical analysis. Pasteurised and unpasteurised offals sampled from cattle, pig and chicken slaughterhouses were characterised and their specific methane yields (SMYs) and their bioavailability was assessed. The resultant SMYs were high (465–650mLCH4gVS−1) with no statistically significant increase in methane production identified due to pasteurisation. However, the kinetics of the biogas transformation processes highlighted increased bioavailability of the organics due to pasteurisation. This was brought to light by the change in maximum daily SMY from day 22 to day 1 for the cattle offal (p=0.001), day 17 to day 1 for chicken offal (p=0.025) and an increase of 18.8% in the maximum daily SMY of the pig offal on day 1 (p=0.003). The increased bioavailability of the offals manifested itself in two ways with the determining factor being identified as the physical characteristics of the fats i.e. particle size. Firstly reducing the hydrolytic lag phase for the cattle offal, λ=7.46–1.52days (p=0.013). Secondly, causing increased accumulation of Long Chain Fatty Acids to acute inhibitory levels in the chicken and pig offal indicated by increased lag phases λ=5.05–21.91days (p=0.012), λ=15.54–23.04days (p=0.007) respectively.

Comparison of the incidence of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains in adult cattle and veal calf slaughterhouse effluents highlighted different risks for public health

The goal of this study was to investigate the involvement of bovine slaughterhouse effluents and biosolids in the risk of environmental dissemination of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli. Several samples were collected from one adult cattle and one veal calf slaughterhouse wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The treatment process had no impact on the percentage of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and on the percentage of atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC). A STEC O157:H7 was isolated from the thickened sludge of the adult cattle slaughterhouse. As thickened sludge is intended to be spread on agricultural lands, the detection of this pathogenic strain is a public health issue. The percentage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli was 5.0% and 87.5% in wastewater from the adult cattle and the veal calf slaughterhouse, respectively. These percentages were not significantly different after treatment. Integron-bearing E. coli isolates were only detected in the veal calf slaughterhouse WWTP with percentages above 50.0% for all sampling points whatever the step of the treatment process. Taken together, these findings highlighted the fact that different public health risks might be associated with adult cattle or veal calf slaughterhouses regarding the dissemination of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolates into the environment.

Estimation of the individual slaughterhouse surveillance sensitivity for bovine tuberculosis in Catalonia (North-Eastern Spain)

The achievement of the Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) status in regions with low bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) herd prevalence, as is the case of North-Eastern Spain (Catalonia), might be a likely option in the medium term. In this context, risk-based approaches could be an alternative surveillance strategy to the costly current strategy. However, before any change in the system may be contemplated, a reliable estimate of the sensitivity of the different surveillance components is needed. In this study, we focused on the slaughterhouse component. The probability of detection of a bTB-infected cattle by the slaughterhouses in Catalonia was estimated as the product of three consecutive probabilities: (P1) the probability that a bTB-infected animal arrived at the slaughterhouse presenting Macroscopically Detectable Lesions (MDL); (P2) the probability that MDL were detected by the routine meat inspection process and (P3) the probability that the veterinary officer suspected bTB and sent the sample for laboratory confirmation.The first probability was obtained from data collected through the bTB eradication program carried out in Catalonia between 2005 and 2008, while the last two were obtained through the expert opinion of the veterinary officers working at the slaughterhouses who fulfilled a questionnaire administered during 2014.The bTB surveillance sensitivity of the different cattle slaughterhouses in Catalonia obtained in this study was 31.4% (CI 95%: 28.6–36.2), and there were important differences among them. The low bTB surveillance sensitivity was mainly related with the low probability that a bTB-infected animal arrived at the slaughterhouse presenting MDL (around 44.8%). The variability of the sensitivity among the different slaughterhouses could be explained by significant associations between some variables included in the survey and P2. For instance, factors like attendance to training courses, number of meat technicians and speed of the slaughter chain were significantly related with the probabilities that a MDL was detected by the meat inspection procedure carried out in the slaughterhouse. Technical and policy efforts should be focused on the improvement of these factors in order to maximize the slaughterhouse sensitivity.