Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ABATTOIRS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Possible confounders of the relationship between occupational swine contact and Yersinia enterocolitica 0:3 and 0:9 antibodies.

Increased risk of high Yersinia enterocolitica 0:3 and 0:9 antibody content has been previously reported in occupations with swine contact. In this study several possible confounders of this elevated risk among pig farmers and abattoir workers were considered. Only in three instances the standardized risk ratio was decreased close to unity, namely after the standardization of Y. enterocolitica 0:3 IgG antibody positivity for age among abattoir workers, after the standardization of Y. enterocolitica 0:9 IgG antibody positivity for farm butchering among pig farmers and for smoking among abattoir workers. As the decrease did not apply for both pig farmers and abattoir workers and for both 0:3 and 0:9 serotypes considered, it seems reasonable to assume that the three decreases represent products of multiple testing inherent in this kind of search of confounders rather than any true effects. In view of the present knowledge on the determinants of yersinia antibodies in populations, the crude risk ratios for elevated yersinia antibodies can be held to be reasonably unconfounded.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis of related Escherichia coli O157 isolates associated with beef cattle and comparison with unrelated isolates from animals, meats and humans.

The pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) diversity of 51 related Escherichia coli O157 isolates, associated with beef cattle from a single-farm-to-single abattoir (SF-SA) chain of events was determined. The 51 related E. coli O157 isolates from hides, faeces or carcasses of SF-SA cattle produced 11 different PFGE profiles. Also, the PFGE diversity of 6 isolates, associated with a second cattle abattoir, was determined; only two PFGE profiles were found. On the other hand, the PFGE diversity of 136 unrelated E. coli O157 isolates (from healthy meat animals, retail meats and cases of human disease) was also determined. The 136 unrelated E. coli O157 isolates produced 78 different PFGE profiles, most of which (approximately 70%) comprised only one isolate. Overall, the results showed: (a) related E. coli O157 isolates (from both SF-SA events, and the second abattoir) had a markedly narrower clonal profile than the 136 unrelated E. coli O157 isolates; (b) the isolation of identical PFGE types from hide, lairage environment, and carcasses confirms the significance of cross-contamination (both pre-slaughter and during skinning) taking place at abattoirs; and (c) PFGE typing of isolates offers a good tool for tracking sources/routes of such cross-contamination. Such cross-contamination may lead to originally E. coli O157-free animals (and resultant carcasses) becoming contaminated during farm-slaughter-dressing chain of events, so development of efficient control strategies is required.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2006

Estimation of Salmonella prevalence on individual-level based upon pooled swab samples from swine carcasses.

Pooling of samples might be an effective means to increase cost-effectiveness in routine surveillance. The present study assessed the effect on the sensitivity of detection of Salmonella when pooling swab samples from swine carcasses compared to individual analyses. A total of 18,984 samples from nine Danish swine abattoirs were collected during 1 year, covering 2017 slaughter days. At each abattoir, swab samples were taken on a daily basis from 10 carcasses randomly selected. From each carcass, an area of 3 cm x 100 cm was swabbed. Five of these samples were analysed individually and the other five were analysed as one pooled sample. Standard culture methods were used. A logistic regression model was built, where the response was whether a sample was Salmonella positive or not. The explanatory factors were abattoir, type of sampling (individual or pooled sample), and season of year 2000 (four quarters). The odds ratio (OR) of the effect of type of sampling in the logistic model accounting for abattoir and season was interpreted as the conversion factor between pooled and individual sample prevalence. The results of the individually analysed samples showed a low prevalence of Salmonella (1.4%). When Salmonella was isolated, mostly only one positive sample was found among the five individually analysed samples per slaughter day. On a few days >1 positive samples' were found (9 out of 2017 days approximately 0.4%). The pooled sample prevalence was 4.1%. Because the individual prevalence was low, the pooled sample prevalence would have been around five times higher than the individual-level prevalence-if there had been no loss of sensitivity. However, we found that due to loss of sensitivity the pooled prevalence was only three times higher (OR = 2.7; CI 2.0-3.7). Therefore, a conversion factor of 3 instead of 5 should be applied to calculate the individual prevalence from a pooled prevalence. This approach has been used in the national surveillance of Danish pork since 2001. The estimated conversion factor and accept of pooling samples do not necessarily apply to a population with a higher prevalence or to other types of samples (e.g. faeces or lymph nodes) or diagnostic procedures.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

The emergence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa as a serious agricultural problem and public health risk.

Pig production has increased significantly in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region during the past decade, especially in rural, resource-poor, smallholder communities. Concurrent with the increase in smallholder pig keeping and pork consumption, there have been increasing reports of porcine cysticercosis in the ESA region. This article reviews the findings concerning the presence and impact of porcine cysticercosis in seven of the ESA countries. Most of the reported findings are based on surveys utilising lingual palpation and post-mortem examination, however, some also used serological assays. In Tanzania, community-based studies on porcine cysticercosis indicate a prevalence of 17.4% in the northern highlands district of Mbulu and a prevalence range of 5.1-16.9% in the southern highlands. In Kenya recent surveys in the southwestern part of the country where smallholder pig keeping is popular indicate that 10-14% of pigs are positive for cysticercosis by lingual examination. Uganda has the most pigs in Eastern Africa, most of which are kept under smallholder conditions. Preliminary surveys in 1998 and 1999 at slaughterhouses in Kampala indicated a prevalence of porcine cysticercosis between 0.12 and 1.2%, however, a rural survey in northern Uganda in 1999 indicated 34-45% of pigs slaughtered in selected villages were infected. Additionally, a new survey of 297 pigs slaughtered in Kampala in 2002 indicated that pigs from the central region of the country were negative for cysticercosis while 33.7% of the pigs coming from the rural Lira district in the north were positive. Interestingly 8 piglet foetuses removed from an infected slaughtered sow coming from Lira district were all found to harbour cysts of T. solium providing evidence of congenital transmission of porcine cysticercosis. In Mozambique, abattoir records indicate that porcine cysticercosis is present in all provinces of the country. A serological survey on pigs in rural Tete Province found 15% of pigs positive. In Zimbabwe, a retrospective study in official abattoirs around the country from 1994 to 2001 reported a mean prevalence of 0.34% which is in contrast to a post-mortem survey in 1999, which showed that the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in rural west Zimbabwe where smallholder pig keeping is popular was 28.6%. In Zambia, abattoir records reported porcine cysticercosis in six of the nine provinces. Routine meat inspection of 1316 pigs at a slaughter slab in Lusaka showed that 20.6% of the pigs had cysticercosis whereas serological testing of 874 pigs at the same abattoir indicated that 56.6% were found to have circulating antigens of Taenia solium. Field surveys based on lingual palpation in Southern and Eastern Provinces of Zambia revealed prevalences of 8.2-28.4 and 5.2%, respectively. South Africa has the largest number of pigs in Southern Africa and cysticercosis has been recognised as a problem in the country for many decades. There is strong evidence supporting the high prevalence of neurocysticercosis infecting humans from resource-poor areas of the country where pigs are being raised under smallholder conditions. In spite of this community-based surveys on porcine cysticercosis have never been conducted in South Africa and the last slaughterhouse survey was conducted nearly 40 years ago. The prevalences of porcine cysticercosis found in these ESA countries rank among the highest in the world and the disease is emerging as an important constraint for the nutritional and economic well being of resource-poor smallholder farming communities. The current findings suggest the widespread presence of human tapeworm carriers and thus a high risk of human cysticercosis in both rural areas and urban centres in the ESA region. More research is required in the region to assess the extent and public health and economic impact of T. solium infection in order to determine whether and what prevention and control efforts are needed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1998

Distribution, prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma bovis infection in cattle in Iringa district, Tanzania.

Monthly abattoir, farms and village surveys were carried out to determine the distribution, prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma bovis infection in cattle in Iringa district in the southern highlands of Tanzania between August 1991 to August 1992. Abattoir surveys were conducted at the Iringa regional abattoir and age, sex, live animal grade and livestock market of origin of each of 342 animals examined were recorded. Five grams of the central part of the jejunum were collected from each animal and schistosome egg counting was carried out after tissue digestion. Nine farms and six villages were randomly selected and age, sex and origin of 501 cattle was recorded. Faecal samples were collected from each animal and quantification of schistosome eggs was carried out by means of the Modified Bell filtration technique. Abattoir surveys revealed S. bovis to be present in 116 out of 342 cattle examined in 10 out of the 12 livestock markets surveyed giving a point prevalence of 34%. A high frequency (70.1%) of low tissue egg counts (< 200 eggs per gram) was observed among the infected animals. The prevalence and intensities of infection observed in the slaughtered cattle were not related to the age-group, sex and grade of the animals. Results from faecal egg counts in nine farms and six villages disclosed that the infection was predominant in four farms (Lulanzi, Igumbiro, Ruaha and Mlolo) and three villages (Itunundu, Ibumu and Lulanzi). Egg counts per gram of faeces (EPGF) at Lulanzi dairy farm revealed a peak egg excretion in 1-3 yr old animals which was followed by a decline in the number of EPGF within the age group of 3- to 9-yr old animals. However, the faecal egg excretion tended to rise again in animals over 9 years old. Deaths of four animals which were preceded by signs of intermittent diarrhea, loss of condition, anaemia and high faecal egg counts was observed at Lulanzi farm. Postmortem examination of the dead animals revealed that they had severe schistosomal lesions and higher tissue egg counts than the slaughtered cattle. It was concluded from the present study that S. bovis infection in cattle is very common in foci in Iringa district and possibly the whole of the southern highlands of Tanzania and in some enzootic farms it could be among the major causes of ill-health and lowered productivity.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1997

The prevalence of campylobacters and arcobacters in broiler chickens.

Chicken carcasses from a supermarket and from a poultry abattoir were examined using methods designed to isolate as many strains of campylobacters and related organisms as possible. Strains of arcobacter, but no campylobacters, were isolated from every carcass after enrichment. Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni was isolated from all carcasses examined by direct plating and other Campylobacter-like strains were isolated from nine out of 15 abattoir carcasses by direct plating but not after enrichment. Only the Camp. jejuni subsp. jejuni strains could be identified to species level using a readily available identification scheme and/or a commercial identification kit. Examination of caecal contents from the 15 abattoir poultry yielded Camp. jejuni subsp. jejuni and Campylobacter-like strains from 15 and eight by direct plating, and from six and nine after enrichment, respectively. Four sites in the intestine of the abattoir birds (60 samples) were examined for arcobacters and only one strain was isolated. This indicates that arcobacters are probably not normal inhabitants of the poultry intestine. Poultry is a rich source of other campylobacteria besides the thermophilic Campylobacter spp.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

National survey for Salmonella in pigs, cattle and sheep at slaughter in Great Britain (1999-2000).

AIMS: The objective of these surveys was to estimate the prevalence of faecal carriage of Salmonella in healthy pigs, cattle and sheep at slaughter, and of pig carcase contamination with Salmonella. These data can be used as a baseline against which future change in Salmonella prevalence in these species at slaughter can be monitored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this first randomized National Survey for faecal carriage of Salmonella in slaughter pigs, cattle and sheep in Great Britain, 2509 pigs, 891 cattle and 973 sheep were sampled in 34 pig abattoirs and 117 red meat abattoirs in England, Scotland and Wales. Carriage of Salmonella in 25 g caecal contents was identified in 578 (23.0% pigs) but in only 134 (5.3%) of carcase swabs. The predominant Salmonella serovars found in both types of sample were S. Typhimurium (11.1% caeca, 2.1% carcases) and S. Derby (6.3% caeca, 1.6% carcases). The main definitive phage types (DT) of S. Typhimurium found were DT104 (21.9% of caecal S. Typhimurium isolates), DT193 (18.7%), untypable strains (17.6%), DT208 (13.3%) and U302 (13.3%). Three isolates of S. Enteritidis (PTs 13A and 4) and one enrofloxacin-resistant S. Choleraesuis were also isolated. A positive 'meat-juice ELISA' was obtained from 15.2% of pigs at 40% optical density (O.D.) cut-off level and 35.7% at 10% cut-off. There was poor correlation between positive ELISA results or carcase contamination and the caecal carriage of Salmonella. The ratio of carcase contamination to caecal carriage rates was highest in abattoirs from the midland region of England and in smaller abattoirs. In cattle and sheep 1 g samples of rectal faeces were tested. Two isolates (i.e. 0.2%) were recovered from cattle, one each of S. Typhimurium, DT193 and DT12. One sheep sample (0.1%) contained a Salmonella, S. Typhimurium DT41. In a small subsidiary validation exercise using 25 g of rectal faeces from 174 cattle samples, three (1.7%) isolates of Salmonella (S. Typhimurium DT104, S. Agama, S. Derby) were found. CONCLUSIONS: The carriage rate of Salmonella in prime slaughter cattle and sheep in Great Britain was very low compared with pigs. This suggests that future control measures should be focused on reduction of Salmonella infection on pig farms and minimizing contamination of carcases at slaughter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work has set baseline figures for Salmonella carriage in these species slaughtered for human consumption in Great Britain. These figures were collected in a representative way, which enables them to be used for monitoring trends and setting control targets.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1980

Airborne spread of brucellosis.

review of epidemic and endemic brucellosis at six abattoirs demonstrates a correlation between case distribution and flow of air from the kill department (stage II) to other areas within an abattoir. Air from the kill department disseminated to nearby departments led to abnormally high brucellosis attack rates for persons who worked in these areas at two abattoirs. Complete physical separation or maintaining negative air pressure in the kill department was associated with reduced risk for workers in other areas at four abattoirs. Cases in persons who had exposure to kill department air but no contact with animal tissues provide strong evidence for airborne transmission of infection. Brucellosis is also contracted through skin contact with infectious animal tissues, but this route of transmission appears less important than formerly believed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1990

Efficiency of inspection procedures for the detection of tuberculous lesions in cattle.

The sensitivity of the abattoir inspection procedure introduced for Australian export beef in 1976 was compared to a detailed necropsy procedure for the detection of tuberculous lesions in cattle. In a sample of cattle that were reactors to the tuberculin test, abattoir inspection failed to detect an estimated 47% of cattle with lesions. The detailed necropsy examination of cattle with lesions of tuberculosis identified 21 sites of infection compared with 13 to 18 in cattle examined by routine meat inspection procedures. Of the lesions detected during detailed necropsy, 15.9% did not involve the thoracic cavity or the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes. The failure to detect lesions during abattoir inspection has its greatest significance in an animal with a single lesion. If the 245 cattle found with single lesions during detailed necropsy had been examined by abattoir inspection using the 1976 or the 1986 procedures, 0.8 and 8.9%, respectively, of these animals would not have been detected because the diseased tissues would not have been examined. If meat inspection is to provide an effective means of monitoring the level of bovine tuberculosis during the final stages of eradication, a procedure no less sensitive than that introduced in 1976 should be used.

Abattoirs↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mortalities in bobby calves associated with long distance transport.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how distance of transportation and time of year affects mortality of bobby calves. METHOD: The overall mortality of bobby calves transported by road to an abattoir in Northern Victoria was investigated by the analysis of mortality data from 1998 to 2000 from the abattoir records. RESULTS: Mortality of bobby calves increased exponentially with distance of transportation to the abattoir. The association between distance travelled and mortality was greatest in August. The increased mortality associated with greater distance travelled occurred during transportation rather than after arrival at the abattoir. The highest mortality of bobby calves was seen in October, followed by September, and the lowest was observed in August. CONCLUSION: Limits on the distance of transportation of bobby calves should be incorporated into future codes of practice to reduce the mortality of bobby calves.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2006

Echinococcus granulosus in northern Queensland. 1. Prevalence in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of hydatidosis and investigate factors that might be expected to influence the prevalence of hydatids in cattle in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn. To determine the effect of natural levels of infection on carcase weight and subsequent economic loss. PROCEDURE: An abattoir survey conducted in 1981 provided information on the distribution, prevalence and viability of hydatid cysts in cattle from all shires north of the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland. Livers, lungs and spleens from 10,382 cattle were palpated at abattoirs in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton to detect hydatid cysts. Prevalence of infection in cattle in each shire was estimated from results of the abattoir study together with reports of infection in a further 22,185 cattle obtained from abattoir records. Linear modelling was used to define the effect of geographical origin, age, breed and sex on prevalence of infection. Differences in the weights of carcases between infected and non-infected cattle of the same age, sex, breed and property of origin were examined. The economic loss to the beef industry in the region surveyed was estimated. RESULTS: Cattle infected with hydatids originated almost entirely from regions to the east of the Great Dividing Range. The mean prevalence inside this zone was 28% compared with 3% in other areas. Viable protoscoleces were found in 0.7% of cysts. Geographical origin and age of the cattle were the most significant factors influencing prevalence. Infection with hydatids had no effect on carcase weight. Economic loss was limited to that associated with condemnations of organs at meat inspection, estimated to be 0.5 million dollars per annum in 1981 and 6 million dollars in 2004. The distribution of hydatids in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn corresponded most closely with the distribution of small wallabies such as Macropus dorsalis (black-striped wallaby), M parryi (whiptail wallaby) and M rufogriseus (red-necked wallaby). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that cattle are not an important part of maintaining the life-cycle of E granulosus in Queensland north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Within the endemic zone, which is almost all to the east of the Great Dividing Range, the local pattern of bovine echinococcosis is most likely to be determined by the presence or absence of small species of wallaby such as M dorsalis, M parryi and M rufogriseus.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2002

The use of passive injectable transponders in fattening lambs from birth to slaughter: effects of injection position, age, and breed.

A total of 1,159 Tiris half-duplex passive injectable transponders (PIT) of 32-mm length were used to study the electronic identification of 618 fattening lambs of two breeds used for different production purposes (Ripollesa, meat breed, n = 271, and Manchega, dairy breed, n = 347). The lambs were s.c. injected in the armpit and the retro-auricular positions at 2, 15, and 30 d of age. All lambs were also tagged with a small plastic ear tag after birth. A group of 76 lambs were injected only in the right armpit and were kept for breeding. The PIT losses, breakages, and electronic failures were evaluated at weekly weight recordings throughout the fattening period using two types of hand-held transceivers. Fattened lambs were harvested in a commercial abattoir between 3 and 4 mo of age when they reached market weight (11 to 12 kg hot carcass weight). The total number of PIT that fell or broke in the slaughtering line, the location method, and the recovery time were recorded. On the farm PIT losses were not affected (P > 0.05) by age at injection, injection position, or breed. Mean losses of PIT and ear tags during the same period were 5% and 6.3%, respectively (P > 0.05). No PIT breakages or failures were observed during the fattening period. Mean recovery of PIT in the abattoir (85.6%) was affected (P < 0.05) by breed and injection position. Losses of PIT in the abattoir were greater (P < 0.05) in the Ripollesa breed (18.4%) than in Manchega (10.0%), and for both breeds losses were greater (P < 0.05) in the retro-auricular than in the armpit positions (18.6 vs 10.8%, respectively). The percentage of PIT broken during slaughtering was low (0.3%). The mean recovery times (18 +/- 2 s) were not affected (P > 0.05) by breed, injection position, or age, thus allowing a harvesting speed of 200 lambs/h on average. In conclusion, the injection of 32-mm PIT into the armpit or the retro-auricular region is not recommended as a practice for the electronic identification of fattening lambs, even though they perform similarly to small plastic ear tags. This is partly a consequence of the PIT losses observed on the farm but mainly because of the difficulties with recovering the PIT in the abattoir. More research will determine whether the use of smaller transponders or injection in other positions could improve their performance in fattening lambs.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2001

Microbiological quality of chilled beef carcasses in Northern Ireland: a baseline survey.

To standardize the assessment of the hygienic quality of beef carcasses in Northern Ireland (NI) abattoirs, swabbing techniques were evaluated. Six materials, including two commercially produced swabs, were compared for their ability to recover spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and for their ease of use as carcass swabs. A sponge retailed for domestic use was selected on the basis of efficiency of recovery of microorganisms, ease of use, and cost. On sample carcasses, 1,000 cm2 of the brisket was swabbed, since this site is normally readily contaminated. For 9 months, 420 carcasses in seven of the nine European Union-approved abattoirs in NI were sampled while in the chiller (24 to 48 h after kill). Total viable count (TVC), yeasts and molds, and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated after incubation at 22 (48 h) and 37 degrees C (48 h), and the results were expressed as log CFU/cm2. The mean TVC results at 22 and 37 degrees C were 2.80+/-0.70 and 2.75+/-0.64, respectively. Although 63% of samples had yeasts that grew at 22 degrees C, only 35% were positive at 37 degrees C. The respective mean yeast counts were 1.12+/-0.59 and 0.46+/-0.51. Enterobacteriaceae were present in 15% of samples at 22 degrees C and 21% of samples at 37 degrees C. The mean counts for positive samples were 0.41+/-0.37 and 0.40+/-0.30, respectively. Molds were found in less than 4% of samples. Given that the brisket is normally one of the most heavily contaminated parts of the carcass, these results suggest that good hygienic practices are in operation in NI abattoirs. The results also enabled the abattoirs with the cleanest carcasses to be identified, hence permitting best practices to be found.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Impact of commercial preharvest transportation and holding on the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in cull sows.

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in cull sows at various stages from the farm to the abattoir. Cull sows (n=181) were sampled over 10 weeks. Fecal samples (10 g each) were collected on the farm ca. 24 h before loading and at the live-hog market ca. 3 h before loading. Samples (ileocecal lymph nodes, cecal contents, feces from the transverse colon, ventral thoracic lymph nodes, subiliac lymph nodes, sponge swabs of the left and right carcass sections, and chopped meat) were collected at the abattoir. The percentages of positive fecal samples on the farm and at the live-hog market were 3% (5 of 181 samples) and 2% (3 of 181 samples), respectively. After transport from the live-hog market (10 h) and holding at the abattoir (6 h), 41% (74 of 180) of cull sows yielded S. enterica in one or more sampled tissues. The isolation rate for total cecal contents (33%; 60 of 180 samples) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those for ileocecal lymph nodes (7%; 12 of 181 samples), feces (11%; 20 of 181 samples), and ventral thoracic and subiliac lymph nodes (2%; 4 of 181 samples). Before a 2% lactic acid carcass wash (lasting 8 to 9 s), 14% (25 of 180) of carcasses were positive, compared with 7% (12 of 179) after the wash (P<0.05). Two S. enterica serotypes, Derby and Infantis, were found on the farm and at the live-hog market. At the abattoir, 12 serotypes that had not previously been found on the farm or at the live-hog market were recovered. The results of this study demonstrate that transport and holding practices may contribute to an increase in S. enterica infection prior to slaughter to levels much higher than those found on the farm.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2005

A study of the prevalence and enumeration of Salmonella enterica in cattle and on carcasses during processing.

Salmonella prevalence and counts were estimated for samples from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, and feces of 100 cattle at slaughter and from the pre- and postchill carcasses of these cattle. Samples were collected from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from each of four unrelated groups slaughtered at a single abattoir on different days. Ten additional fecal samples from each group were collected from their respective abattoir holding pens prior to slaughter. The prevalence of Salmonella was estimated using automated immunomagnetic separation, and the counts were estimated using a combination of most probable number (MPN) and automated immunomagnetic separation. A total of 606 samples were collected with Salmonella isolated from 157 (26%), including 29% of oral cavities, 68% of hides, 16% of feces collected after evisceration, 25% of rumen samples, 2% of prechill carcasses, 3% of postchill carcasses, and 48% of feces collected from holding pens. The prevalence and count of Salmonella varied between the different groups of animals tested. The highest count obtained was from a rumen sample (1.1 x 10(4) MPN/g). Other counts were generally low, with a maximum count in feces collected after evisceration and in the abattoir holding pens of 93 and 23 MPN/g, respectively. The highest count on hides, in oral cavities, and on carcasses was 4.8 MPN/cm2, 23 MPN/g, and 0.31 MPN/cm2, respectively. Even though Salmonella was present on the hides and in the rumen and feces of at least one animal from each group of cattle, the processing of animals at this abattoir resulted in few contaminated carcasses, and when contamination occurred, Salmonella was detected at low numbers.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1988

Survey of chloramphenicol residues in diseased swine.

Tissue samples from 279 hogs suspected of having received antibiotic treatment were collected at federally-inspected abattoirs and submitted for chloramphenicol residue analysis during August and September 1984. Injection sites (when present), kidneys or muscle samples were tested by one of two gas chromatographic methods. Kidney samples were also tested at the abattoirs by the Swab Test On Premises. Thirty-one animals (11%) were found with detectable levels ranging from 1 part per billion to 5727 ppb. Highest levels were found at the injection sites, while levels in muscle tissue did not exceed 500 ppb. None of the kidneys from animals found to contain chloramphenicol residues produced a positive Swab Test On Premises result attributable to the presence of chloramphenicol. Twelve kidneys from animals free of chloramphenicol residues produced positive Swab Test On Premises results. Of these, five contained penicillin or streptomycin, but antibiotic residues were not detected in the remaining seven. In addition to the samples collected for this survey, samples from eight hogs representing a herd which had been treated for pneumonia were submitted by an abattoir in Manitoba in November 1984. Chloramphenicol levels in these animals ranged from 0.1 to 73 parts per million in the injection sites, and from 0.04 to 21 ppm in the muscle tissues. The survey data indicated that there were a significant number of animals reaching the abattoirs with detectable chloramphenicol residues, and that the Swab Test On Premises procedure was ineffective in detecting these animals.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1988

An assessment of condemnations of broiler chicken carcasses.

An epidemiological study was conducted to assess the rates of condemnation and the diagnoses made on condemned broiler chicken carcasses in a federally-inspected abattoir. The first objective was to determine the predictive value of a positive test: the proportion of birds that were truly unfit for human consumption among condemned carcasses. The second objective was to assess the degree of agreement between diagnoses made in the abattoir and diagnoses determined by a detailed gross postmortem examination on the same condemned carcasses. A two-stage convenience sampling technique was used to obtain the birds needed. Fifteen lots of birds were selected and within each of these, approximately 45 condemned carcasses were selected for a total of 680. All the diagnoses made on these birds at the abattoir were recorded and the carcasses individually identified. The sampled carcasses were transported to the Ontario Veterinary College where a panel of three federal veterinarians independently judged whether the birds were fit for human consumption. In addition, a detailed gross postmortem examination was conducted on each carcass. An overall predictive value of a positive test of approximately 70% was found. The degree of agreement among members of the panel of examiners was also tested. The overall agreement was good (Kappa = 0.62 between examiners 1 and 2 and 0.51 between examiners 1 and 3). However, carcasses condemned for specific conditions at the abattoir, namely valgus varus deformity, mutilation, cellulitis and hepatitis showed no agreement beyond chance, while other carcasses condemned for conditions such as cyanosis and bruising showed poor agreement concerning their disposition for at least one pair of examiners.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2001

Adult-onset acute leukemia and employment in the meat industry: a New Zealand case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risks for adult-onset acute leukemia associated with employment in the New Zealand meat industry. METHODS: A total of 110 incident leukemia cases identified from referrals to one of six treatment centers between 1989 and 1991 were compared with 199 general population controls. Detailed occupational exposure histories were obtained by interview. RESULTS: There was an elevated risk associated with ever having worked in an abattoir (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0-5.2), which appeared confined to those with over 2 years exposure (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 1.5-15.6). The excess risk was confined to abattoir workers having direct contact with animals or animal products (OR = 5.2 95% CI 1.2-22.2). Ever having worked as a butcher was associated with elevated risk (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.2), confined to those individuals who worked as a butcher in an abattoir (OR = 4.8) or who butchered livestock on farms (OR = 8.2). No increased risk was found for work as a retail/wholesale butcher or meatpacker (OR = 1.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study found increased leukemia risks associated with employment in the meat industry. These were confined to abattoir workers with over 2 years employment in the industry, and to persons whose jobs involved contact with animals or animal tissue, implying that biological exposures may be responsible.

Adult↗