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PubMed2002

Routes for salmonella contamination of poultry meat: epidemiological study from hatchery to slaughterhouse.

Data were collected on the prevalence of salmonella at different stages during the life cycle of 18 broiler flocks on different farms as well as during slaughter in different poultry slaughterhouses. For the isolation of salmonella, the highest sensitivity (93.9%) was obtained by enrichment in the semi-solid agar Diasalm. The 'overshoe method' utilizing several pairs of overshoes provided the highest sensitivity for determining the salmonella status of the broilers during rearing. A clear decrease of the relative importance of the first production stages was demonstrated for the salmonella contamination of the end product, whereas horizontal transmission of salmonella to broilers during rearing and to broiler carcasses in the slaughterhouse was shown to be the main determinative factor. Ten of the 18 flocks received a salmonella positive status with the highest shedding occurring during the first 2 weeks of rearing. The shedding of the animals was significantly negatively influenced by the use of subtherapeutic or therapeutic doses of antibiotics. The intake of portable material in the broiler house was identified as the most important risk factor for horizontal transmission. Significant associations were found between the contamination level of a flock and hygiene of the broiler house, feed and water in the broiler house and both animal and non-animal material sampled in the environment. No correlation was found between contamination during the rearing period and contamination found after slaughtering. The presence of faecal material in the transport crates and predominantly the identity of the slaughterhouse seemed to be the determining factors for carcass quality. Improved hygiene management during transport of broilers and in some slaughterhouses could significantly reduce the risk of salmonella contamination of poultry meat.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isolated hemoperfused slaughterhouse livers as a valid model to study hepatotoxicity.

Different models of isolated and perfused livers and precision cut liver slices have been developed for studies on liver toxicology the past years. As most of these models were limited by nonphysiologic settings, a new model of normothermic hemoperfused isolated porcine slaughterhouse livers to examine hepatotoxicity was established encompassing the advantages of slaughterhouse organs to reduce animal experiments and autologous blood as an optimal perfusate. As model compound, the analgesic substance diclofenac was used and the effects of this drug on organ function parameters were compared to an untreated control group. Using an amount of 2,000 ml, the organs were perfused over 180 minutes, metabolically controlled via a dialysis and oxygenation system and various hematological and hepatic parameters were examined. In contrast to the untreated control organs, significant differences were found in the diclofenac group for parameters such as lactate, creatinine, ALT, bicarbonate, or bile flow. In summary, the presently established model of isolated hemoperfused slaughterhouse livers displays a useful new approach to assess hepatotoxicity of different substances on the organ level. As a major economic advantage in comparison to setups using laboratory animals, the new model can be run with blood and organs obtained from slaughterhouse animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Evaluation of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) infection risk of cattle via sewage sludge from wastewater treatment facilities in slaughterhouses in Japan.

Scattered SRM residues from BSE-infected cattle are possible to contaminate sewage during the slaughtering process in slaughterhouses. A proportion of the sludge discharged from wastewater treatment facilities at slaughterhouses has historically been processed into fertilizer. We therefore investigated the associated risk of BSE infection to cattle via sludge-derived fertilizer. Each stage of the process associated with BSE exposure was qualitatively evaluated and quantitative evaluations were subsequently performed using infectious dose as a unit of concern. Results of these qualitative evaluations indicated that installation of filter(s) at the drains to the wastewater treatment facilities has been undertaken by many slaughterhouses and has decreased the likelihood of SRM contamination of sewage. The level of sludge-derived fertilizer ingested by cattle was considered to be very low since the fertilizer is mixed with the ground soil, and the amount of soil ingested by cattle is likely to be small. Results from the quantitative analysis indicated the total infectious dose ingested by cattle in Japan from an infected cow has been estimated to be 5.5 x 10(-3) ID(50). Preventing scattering of SRM during the slaughtering process, installing filters to the drains with the removal of residues from the drain water and preventing the application of sludge-derived fertilizer to pasturelands would be effective to reduce the risk. Although the limited extent of available information, this study should provide useful indication for the development of an inclusive risk assessment for slaughterhouse sludge in the future.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2000

Contamination of carcasses, offals, and the environment with yadA-positive Yersinia enterocolitica in a pig slaughterhouse.

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the contamination of the pig-slaughtering line with pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica carrying the yadA gene. A total of 292 samples were collected from the slaughterhouse; 131 swab samples from pig carcasses, ears, livers, kidneys, and hearts; 89 swab samples from the environment; and 72 sedimentation samples from the air. All surface samples were studied with both the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture methods. The contamination rate of edible pig offals was high with both methods. Using PCR, the detection rates of yadA-positive Y. enterocolitica for livers, kidneys, and hearts were 38, 86, and 63%, respectively, and using the culture method, the detection rates were 31, 69, and 50%, respectively. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was also detected from different environmental sites in the slaughterhouse. Using PCR, 13% of the surface samples from the environment were contaminated with yadA-positive Y. enterocolitica. PCR-positive samples were found on the brisket saw, the hook from which the pluck set (heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, diaphragm, liver, kidneys, and tongue with tonsils) hang, the knife used for evisceration, the floors in the eviscerating area and the weighing area, the meat-cutting table, the aprons used by trimming workers, the computer used in the meat-inspection area, and the coffeemaker used by slaughterhouse workers. The respective detection rate (6%) was considerably lower when we used the culture method. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was isolated from the air in the bleeding area. Bioserotype 4/O:3 was the only pathogenic bioserotype isolated in this study. A total of 113 isolates of type 4/O:3 were characterized with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using NotI and XbaI digests. By combining these profiles, nine different pulsotypes were obtained, the most common of which (1a) was found in 19 (61%) of 31 samples from different sites. This is the same type that has dominated in pig tonsils, which suggests that tonsils may be the source of Y. enterocolitica contamination in the slaughterhouse. The four pulsotypes (1a, 4g, 6g, and 19q) found on edible offals were the same as those found in tonsils, which supports our hypothesis that tonsils are the contamination source for the liver, heart, and kidneys.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Salmonella in the lairage of pig slaughterhouses.

The purpose of this study was to determine if lairages of pig slaughterhouses can act as a source of contamination of slaughtered pigs with Salmonella. The prevalence and variety of serotypes of Salmonella in the lairages of two pig slaughterhouses were determined, and the efficacy of the usual cleaning and disinfection on the presence of Salmonella was estimated. Lairages of two pig slaughterhouses were sampled three times when pigs were present. Furthermore, these lairages were sampled after the usual cleaning and disinfection, whereas the lairage of one slaughterhouse was sampled an additional time after improved cleaning and disinfection. Samples were collected by swabbing floor and wall surfaces and collecting the residing fluids on the floor throughout the lairage. Salmonella was isolated in 70 to 90% of the samples when pigs were present. The usual cleaning and disinfection reduced the level of contamination with Salmonella to 25% positive samples, whereas improved cleaning and disinfection reduced this level to 10% positive samples. It is concluded that the waiting period in the lairage of at least 2 h contains a substantial risk for slaughter pigs to become infected with Salmonella, especially for pigs originating from Salmonella-free herds. The usual cleaning and disinfection of the lairage were not sufficient to eliminate this risk, whereas an improved procedure for cleaning and disinfection still was unsatisfactory.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Incidence of Salmonella in five Swedish slaughterhouses.

Five Swedish slaughterhouses where pig slaughter takes place were sampled and tested for Salmonella. Each slaughterhouse was visited six times, and sampling was done repeatedly at specific points in the slaughter line during the day. Both sampling of pork carcasses and the slaughterhouse environment was done. This study was part of a larger European project, entitled Salmonella in Pork (Salinpork), with the aim of identifying specific risk points or risk factors associated with Salmonella contamination that contribute to health hazards for humans. During the study, a total of 3,388 samples from the five slaughterhouses were collected and cultured for Salmonella. All of the samples were culture negative for Salmonella.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Monitoring of microbial hazards at farms, slaughterhouses, and processing lines of swine in Korea.

This study was executed to investigate microbiological hazards at swine farms, slaughterhouses, dressing operations, and local markets for the application of the hazard analysis critical control point system in Korea by analyzing total aerobic plate count (APC) and presence of pathogens. Six integrated pig farms and meat packers were selected from six different provinces, and samples were collected from pig carcasses by swabbing and excision methods at the slaughterhouses, processing rooms, and local markets, respectively. APCs of water in water tanks were relatively low, 1.9 to 3.1 log10 CFU/ml; however, they were increased to 4.6 to 6.9 log10 CFU/ml when sampled from water nipples in the pigpen. APCs of feeds in the feed bins and in the pigpens were 4.4 to 5.4 and 5.2 to 6.7 log10 CFU/g, respectively. Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens were detected from water and feed sampled in pigpens and pigpen floors. S. aureus was the most frequently detected pathogenic bacteria in slaughterhouses and processing rooms. Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica were also detected from the processing rooms of the Kyonggi, Kyongsang, and Cheju provinces. Even though APCs were maintained at the low level of 3.0 log10 CFU/g during slaughtering and processing steps, those of final pork products produced by the same companies showed relatively high numbers when purchased from the local market. These results indicated that the cold chain system for transporting and merchandising of pork products was deficient in Korea. Water supply and feed bins in swine farms and individual operations can be identified as critical control points to reduce microbiological hazards in swine farms, slaughterhouses, and processing plants.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2003

Molecular characterization of Escherichia coli O157 contamination routes in a cattle slaughterhouse.

In a cattle slaughterhouse, sampling was performed over a 1-week period to examine the prevalence and possible contamination routes of Escherichia coli O157. Each sampling day, swab samples were collected from the slaughterhouse environment before onset of slaughter, from the slaughterline, and from 20 successively slaughtered animals. Isolation of E. coli O157 consisted of a 6-hour enrichment followed by immunomagnetic separation and selective plating. From the 394 samples taken, 84 (21%) were positive for E. coli O157. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of collected isolates produced 26 different profiles, from which 5 PFGE profiles carried two or more Stx genes. The combination of PFGE profiles and Stx types resulted in 32 different E. coli O157 types. E. coli O157 was found in the slaughterhouse environment before the onset of slaughter. The first two sampling days, feces and carcasses were found negative. On the third sampling day, five fecal samples and four carcasses from animals negative in the feces were positive. Hide of the anal region and the shoulder were found positive every sampling day. The shoulder hide was more than twice as contaminated as the anal region hide. Typing of different isolates from a sample showed that frequently different E. coli O157 types were presented. On sampling days 1 and 2, types present in the environment and on the hides of the slaughtered animals differed. On the third sampling day, two dominant types were found in the environment (even before the onset of slaughter), as well as on the hides, feces, and carcasses. Although examined animals originated from different farms, one (two on day 3) dominant E. coli O157 type was present on their hides each sampling day. These data indicated that (i) the progress of contamination can differ from day to day within a slaughterhouse and (ii) contact between animals after the departure from the farm can have a large effect on the spread of E. coli O157 hide contamination.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection in slaughterhouse workers in Kitakyushu City.

To clarify the risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection among slaughterhouse workers, we investigated Toxoplasma antibody in workers and swine in the meat center of Kitakyushu City and discussed the result from the standpoint of working conditions. Among 67 slaughterhouse workers, 22 were positive for Toxoplasma antibody (positive rate, 32.8%), while among 208 swine, 19 were positive (positive rate, 9.1%). When classified by ages of workers, positive rates in workers were 0% at the age of 30 or less and around 40% at the age of 31 and over. Especially, positive rate became as high as 66.7% in workers aged 61 and over. Positive rates for Toxoplasma antibody in workers classified by duration of employment were 25% for 5 years or less and 41.5% for 6 years and over. Moreover, there was no difference in positive rates of Toxoplasma antibody between swine slaughterers (positive rate, 32.4%) and cattle slaughterers (33.9%). Although overall positive rate of Toxoplasma antibody in slaughterers was higher, positive antibody in younger slaughterers or that of shorter duration of employment was considerably low. In addition, since positive rate of Toxoplasma antibody in swine brought to the slaughterhouse has decreased remarkably in comparison to the previous study, risk of toxoplasmosis in slaughterhouse workers also seemed to have decreased.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2005

Toxocara-infestations in Austria: a study on the risk of infection of farmers, slaughterhouse staff, hunters and veterinarians.

A total of 585 persons from several occupational groups (farmers, slaughterhouse staff, hunters, veterinarians) exposed to Toxocara infestations and 50 persons of a control group were tested for the presence of specific antibodies to the Toxocara canis antigen using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a western blot. Farmers showed the highest seroprevalence (44%), followed by veterinarians (27%), slaughterhouse staff (25%) and hunters (17%), whereas only 2% of the individuals of the control group were seropositive. Thus, the risk to Toxocara infestation is 39, 18, 16 and 9 times higher for farmers, veterinarians, slaughterhouse staff (some workers were part-time farmers) and for hunters, respectively, when compared to the control group. The main source of infection in rural areas seems to be (roaming) farm cats and dogs that have not been dewormed. The results are discussed with a view to potential risk factors and preventive measures, in terms of veterinary and human medicine.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed1991

Sickness absence and work strain among Danish slaughterhouse workers: an analysis of absence from work regarded as coping behaviour.

This paper comprises two parts: a theoretical part in which a number of theoretical and methodological recommendations about research on absence are made on the basis of a review of selected literature, and an empirical part that contains analyses of absence from work in the Danish slaughterhouse industry. In the theoretical part it is asserted that sickness absence cannot be understood if it is viewed as a simple function of ill health or other individual factors, such as job dissatisfaction. Absence should rather be regarded as a coping behaviour that reflects an individual's perception of his/her health (illness) and is a function of a number of factors at different levels, primarily the combination of job demands and coping possibilities at the job (job strain). Several ideal methodological requirements regarding absence research are formulated on this basis. The empirical part presents an analysis of absence from work in the Danish slaughterhouse industry based on a study of 4407 slaughterhouse workers. It is shown that a number of factors at the company level, the job level and the individual level are associated with an individual's absence from work over a 12-month period. It is further shown that people with high job strain have a significantly higher absence rate, that there is a clear association between sickness absence and perceived health and that absence is part of a pattern along with other coping strategies which are directed against stressing working conditions and perceived ill health. Lastly, it is discussed whether absence from work is a functional coping strategy.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2005

Coagulant toxicity and effectiveness in a slaughterhouse wastewater treatment plant.

Attempts were made in this study to examine the toxicity of polymer/alum addition to the aeration tank effluent prior to sludge flotation as practiced in a slaughterhouse wastewater treatment plant. Based on the Microtox toxicity assay, alum at concentrations 100-200 mg/L was found to slightly increase the toxicity level of slaughterhouse wastewater effluent. However, at higher concentrations (300-1000 mg/L), significant residual chronic toxicity remained in all slaughterhouse wastewater effluents, independent of the treatment process. Polymer, on the other hand, removed organics and solids, but polymer effluents are more toxic than alum at extremely low concentration. Results indicated that alum and polymer caused inhibitory effects to the system at soluble concentrations of approximately 400 and 60 mg/L and above, respectively. The data also indicated that the solids collected in both tests (polymer/alum) were much more toxic than those from the effluents. Sediment samples from the polymer tests were the most toxic. Furthermore, the effluent toxicity of the coagulants was dramatically more significant when used after the settlement of solids than when used in mixed liquor. In addition, strong correlations were observed between the observed toxicity for a series of supernatants and the coagulant concentrations of alum/polymer processes, and between supernatants and solids collected in both tests.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2006

Prevalence and antibiotic-resistance of Salmonella isolated from beef sampled from the slaughterhouse and from retailers in Dakar (Senegal).

A study was made of Salmonella contamination in beef sampled from a slaughterhouse and from retailers in Dakar, Senegal. The serotypes as well as antibiotic-resistance patterns of the Salmonella isolates were determined. A total of 435 meat samples (236 from the slaughterhouse, 199 from retailers) were tested. Among them, 275 (63%) were positive for Salmonella, 43% (101/236) from the slaughterhouse and 87% (174/199) from the retailers. Furthermore, 97% of the investigated retailers had at least one beef sample contaminated by Salmonella. The 286 Salmonella isolates were divided into 51 serotypes. The most prevalent serotypes were Salmonella bredeney (25%), S. muenster (8%), S. waycross (7%), S. corvallis (4%) and S. kentucky (4%). About 62% of the isolates were resistant to nitrofurans. Resistance rates were lower to streptomycin (22%), sulfamethoxazole (15%), spectinomycin (1%), chloramphenicol (1%), and tetracycline (0,4%) while low-level resistance to quinolones was detected. About 16% of the Salmonella strains were multiresistant to two or more antibiotic families. Finally, ten resistance profiles have been identified. This study shows the huge spread of Salmonella in the beef production chain in Dakar, Senegal. Finally, this study provides the very first data about Salmonella prevalence in sub-saharian Africa.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Prevalence of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 in pig carcasses from three French slaughterhouses.

Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are important food-borne pathogens in humans. Several studies have demonstrated that cattle are a major reservoir of VTEC but few data are available about the occurrence of VTEC in other species. In France, there is no data about pigs and pork meat. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and other VTEC in pork carcasses. The second aim of the study was to get a picture of pork carcass contamination by VTEC. Pork carcasses from three French slaughterhouses (50 carcasses per slaughterhouse) were tested for the presence of VTEC and E. coli O157:H7. For each carcass, both internal and external sites were investigated (five on pig skin and three on muscles) and samples were collected by cutting out a surface of 25 cm2. A total of 1200 samples were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after an enrichment step. Primers used were degenerate-sequences which allowed amplification of various types of verotoxin genes (stx). In addition, a second PCR which specifically detected E. coli O157:H7 was carried out on the stx-positive samples. The percentage of stx-positive PCR samples and carcasses was 12.7% (152/1200) and 50% (75/150), respectively. No E. coli O157:H7 was detected. The prevalence for each slaughterhouse was not significantly different. Skin samples of belly, leg and shoulder allowed detection of more than 80% of the VTEC positive carcasses.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2003

The occurrence and epidemiology of Salmonella in European pig slaughterhouses.

This study was part of an international research project entitled SALINPORK (FAIR CT-950400) initiated in 1996. The objectives were to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella in pig slaughterhouses and to identify risk factors associated with the contamination of pig carcasses. Data was collected from 12 slaughterhouses in five European countries. Isolates were characterized by serotyping, phage typing and antimicrobial susceptibility. In one country, no Salmonella was found. Salmonella was isolated from 5.3% of 3485 samples of pork and from 13.8% of 3573 environmental samples from the seven slaughterhouses in the four remaining countries. The statistical analyses (multi-level logistic regression) indicated that the prevalence was significantly higher during the warmer months and that the environmental contamination increased during the day of slaughter. The polishing (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.43-9.78) and pluck removal (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.66-7.96) processes were found to contribute significantly to the total carcass contamination, the latter especially if the scalding water also was contaminated. To reduce carcass contamination, it is recommended to ensure sufficiently high temperatures of scalding water (62 degrees C) and appropriate cleaning and disinfection of the polishing equipment at least once a day in order to reduce the level of carcass contamination and consequently the prevalence of Salmonella in pork.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2003

Routes for Campylobacter contamination of poultry meat: epidemiological study from hatchery to slaughterhouse.

From April 1998 to March 2000, 18 broiler flocks were followed from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter was not found in the hatchery, 1-day-old chicks or in the rearing house before the arrival of the chicks. The infection of broiler flocks increased continuously during the rearing time, with a total of seven positive flocks at the end of rearing. Farms with Campylobacter-positive broilers were characterized by the circulation of Campylobacter in the environment (puddles, dung hill) and on the footwear of the farmer. The administration of antibiotics did not significantly reduce Campylobacter shedding. With the exception of one flock during rearing and a few flocks in the slaughterhouse with a mixed Campylobacter coli-Campylobacter jejuni infection, C. jejuni exclusively was found both during rearing and on the carcasses. A significant correlation exits between the contamination of the broilers during rearing and the carcasses after processing. No slaughterhouse was able to avoid contamination of carcasses when status-positive animals were delivered. Moreover, six negatively delivered flocks yielded positive carcasses, the result of a supplementary contamination, which occurred during transport and slaughtering.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed1994

Integrated quality control project: relationships between pathological findings detected at the slaughterhouse and information gathered in a veterinary health scheme at pig farms.

In September 1986 an Integrated Quality Control Project (IQC) was started in the Netherlands. Over a period of 2 years a veterinary herd health scheme was applied to 21 growing and finishing pig herds. Information was collected concerning medical treatment, classified as group treatment and individual treatment, clinical observations, and housing factors. The main purpose of this project was to investigate relationships between pathological findings detected at the slaughterhouse and information gathered on the farm. Medical group treatments, clinical observations and housing did not reliably predict pathological findings. Individual medical treatment for respiratory disorders, started in the last 30 days before slaughter, proved to be positively related to the pathological findings 'pneumonia' and 'pleuritis' detected at the slaughterhouse. This may be useful for selecting pigs at the slaughterhouse that will require special treatment for the removal of the pleura parietalis. During the first year of the project the average daily gain (ADG) was 27.2 g. more than during the preceding 2 years (P < 0.0001). Coughing was negatively related with the ADG. More than 75 coughs per compartment during 10 minutes, recorded more than 50 days before slaughter, was positively related to a depression of the ADG (20 g; P < 0.05). Relationships between group medical treatments and ADG were statistically significant, when the group medical treatment was started more than 20 days before slaughter. Negative influences on the ADG were higher if the treatment was started closer to the slaughter date.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2026

Tigecycline-resistant Staphylococcus in waiting pens of a pig slaughterhouse: genomic insights into a food safety alert.

BACKGROUND: The waiting pens of slaughterhouses represent a critical control point in the 'farm-to-fork' continuum, yet their role in the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance remains understudied. This study investigated tigecycline-resistant Staphylococcus (TRS) in these high-risk zones to assess their prevalence, resistance mechanisms, and transmission dynamics. METHODS: 400 samples were collected from the waiting pens of a pig slaughterhouse in Guangzhou, China. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular cloning were employed to characterize resistance mechanisms and transmission patterns. RESULTS: 78 TRS strains were isolated and classified into three species, including S. borealis, S. ureilyticus, and S. pasteuri. These isolates exhibited multidrug-resistant phenotypes and carried new mutations in rpsJ and tet(M), which were functionally confirmed to reduce tigecycline susceptibility. Phylogenetic evidence demonstrated clonal transmission between pig farms and the slaughterhouse. The tet(M) gene was located within Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec elements mediated by IS257, while tet(L) was carried by plasmids formed through IS256/IS257-mediated recombination. CONCLUSIONS: Waiting pens serve as crucial reservoirs for the amplification and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Our findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced biosecurity measures, improved waste management, and routine molecular surveillance in these high-risk zones to mitigate the spread of resistance along the food production chain.

Animals↗