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Mycotoxin interactions in poultry and swine.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi. When one mycotoxin is detected, one should suspect that others also are present in a contaminated feed ingredient or finished feeds. The toxicity and clinical signs of observed in animals when more than one mycotoxin is present in feed are complex and diverse. Some mycotoxins, such as the combination of aflatoxin with either ochratoxin A or T-2 toxin, interact to produce synergistic toxicity in broiler chicks. The effects observed during multiple mycotoxin exposure can differ greatly from the effects observed in animals exposed to a single mycotoxin. For example, fatty livers in poultry are used for presumptive diagnostic identification of aflatoxicosis. However, simultaneous presence of ochratoxin A prevents fatty livers. Of the mycotoxin combinations that have been investigated in poultry and swine, the aflatoxin + ochratoxin A and aflatoxin + T-2 toxin interactions appear to be the most toxic.

Aflatoxins↗

Accudosetm aerosol--an effective house fly (Diptera; Muscidae: Musca domestica L.) adulticide control system for cage type poultry houses.

An automatic piped aerosol system (Accudose TM) using 0.7% synergized pyrethrin insecticide, was tested at a typical narrow cage poultry farm for the control of adult house flies, Musca domestica L. A similar narrow cage poultry farm was used as a control with all house fly control measures left up to the cooperating poultryman. AccudoseTM was compared with other house fly control methods at other similar farms which included three types of man-portable ultra volume (ULV) generators and an integrated (biological-chemical) program. Results of the five month test demonstrated that the AccudoseTM system suppressed house fly populations better than other control methods.

Aerosols↗

Prevalence of salmonellae on eggs from poultry farms in New York State.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of salmonellae on egg shells. One hundred eggs from each of 14 Central New York poultry farms were tested for salmonella contamination of the shell. The egg magma was examined in those eggs that were positive on shell culture. Only .21% or three of the egg shells yielded salmonellae, all three of which were identified as S. typhimurium. No salmonellae were found in the magma of these eggs. Feed samples from 12 farms were also negative for salmonellae. From this study it would appear that the incidence of salmonellae on eggs from Central New York poultry farms is very low.

Animals↗

Rapid detection of salmonellae in mechanically deboned poultry meat.

Samples of frozen mechanically deboned poultry (chicken and turkey) meat were examined for the presence of salmonellae by the conventional cultural method and by a modified membrane filter - disc immunoimmobilization (MFD1) procedure. The modified MFD1 procedure consisted of the following steps: pre-enrichment for 18 hr at 35 C; selective enrichment for 6 hr at 35 C; filtration of 1 ml of selective enrichment culture through a .45 micrometer membrane filter; and incubation for 18 to 24 hr at 35 C of the membrane filter on a semi-solid selective medium in the presence of a disc impregnated with Salmonella polyvalent flagellar antiserum. Presence of Salmonella in a sample was indicated by the immobilization of Salmonella on contact with the antiserum in the semi-solid medium. The modified MFDI procedure was found to be more sensitive than the conventional cultural method for the isolation of salmonella from mechanically deboned poultry meat. Of 100 samples analyzed, only 22 were positive for Salmonella by the conventional cultural procedure while 61 were positive by the modified MFDI procedure. The modified MFDI procedure yielded 1 false negative while the conventional procedure yielded 38 false negatives.

Animals↗

Effects of dietary carbohydrate and of intestinal microflora on excretion of endogenous amino acids by poultry.

The effects of dietary carbohydrate and of intestinal microflora on excretion of endogenous amino acids by poultry were investigated. Excretion of endogenous amino acids was compared among fasted roosters, intact roosters fed low- or high-fiber, N-free diets, and surgically-modified (SM) roosters fed a low-fiber, N-free diet. The low-fiber diet contained 50% corn starch, 45% glucose, and 5% cellulose, whereas the high-fiber diet contained 25% each of corn starch, glucose, and raw potato starch, 17.5% cellulose, and 7.5% pectin. Digesta were obtained from the terminal ileum of SM roosters to eliminate effects of the microflora in the large intestine and ceca. The roosters were force-fed 60 g of the appropriate diet (30 g at the initiation of the trial followed by an additional 30 g 6 hours later). Excreta or digesta and urine were collected quantitatively for 48 hr after the first force-feeding. Roosters fed the high-fiber diet excreted substantially more (P less than .05) amino acids than did fasted roosters or roosters fed a low-fiber diet. Excreta from roosters fed the high-fiber diet contained higher (P less than .05) levels of alanine and aspartic acid than excreta from fasted or digesta from SM roosters, indicating substantial microbial synthesis of amino acids in the gut. In contrast, amino acid composition of excreta from fasted and intact roosters fed the low-fiber diet was similar to that of digesta from SM roosters, suggesting less microbial influence. Excretion of glucosamine plus galactosamine by SM roosters was approximately twice that of intact roosters fed the same diet. Glycine was the most abundant amino acid in digesta of SM roosters. Results of this study indicate that dietary carbohydrate substantially affects excretion of endogenous amino acids by poultry and that fasted birds may not provide an accurate estimate of endogenous amino acid excretion for birds fed high-fiber feedstuffs in amino acid digestibility trials.

Amino Acids↗

Long-term administration of low doses of mycotoxins in poultry. 1. Residues of ochratoxin A in broilers and laying hens.

The occurrence and amount of residues of ochratoxin A (OA) in poultry tissues and organs were investigated in a trial aimed at measuring the effects of contamination approaching the patterns more frequently found in natural situations (i.e., small doses of OA in the diet for long periods). Hubbard male broilers and laying hens were treated with an OA-contaminated feed (50 ppb) from the 14th day of age onward. Both groups were further divided into subgroups, some of which underwent continual treatment (64 and 169 days, respectively) and others that were withdrawn from administration (maximum 28 and 82 days, respectively). Determination of residues was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. Residues in liver were higher in broilers (up to 11.0 ppb) than in hens (1.5 ppb), whereas the reverse occurred in kidney (up to .8 and 5.8 ppb, respectively). Residues (.8 ppb) were also in hen thigh muscle but not in breast muscle. Residues of OA in poultry appear to be of possible public health concern. Suggestions for monitoring are given.

Animals↗

Effects of kanamycin administration to poultry on the proliferation of drug-resistant Salmonella.

Four experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between antibiotic administration to poultry and the in vivo proliferation of Salmonellae. The frequency of isolation of drug-resistant transconjugant S. arizonae from the livers of chicks inoculated per os with multiply drug-resistant Escherichia coli and drug-sensitive S. arizonae was directly related to the concentration of kanamycin administered to the chicks in their drinking water. Kanamycin administration was also associated with a significant (P less than .05) increase in the frequency of isolation of drug-resistant transconjugant S. typhimurium from the intestines and livers of poults inoculated with drug-sensitive S. typhimurium and multiply drug-resistant E. coli. Kanamycin administration significantly reduced the spread of drug-sensitive S. typhimurium to the livers of poults inoculated only with that strain. These experiments demonstrate that antibiotic administration to poultry can enhance the proliferation of drug-resistant Salmonella.

Animal Feed↗

The effect of microaerosolized hydrogen peroxide on bacterial and viral poultry pathogens.

The effect of microaerosolized H2O2 on bacterial and viral poultry pathogens was investigated. Bacterial cultures and viruses were dried on sterile glass Petri dishes and subjected to direct and indirect 5% (H2O2) microaerosol mist. In the trials using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, there was complete inactivation following exposure to H2O2. Using Salmonella typhimurium, indirect exposure resulted in only partial inactivation whereas direct exposure to H2O2 gave complete inactivation. For the viruses studied, 5% H2O2 microaerosol mist completely inactivated infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Newcastle disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, and avian influenza virus showed reduced infectivity but were not completely inactivated. Avian reovirus susceptibility varied with the method of exposure and infectious bursal disease virus was highly resistant. The use of 10% H2O2 mist, however, resulted in total inactivation of infectious bursal disease virus. The effect of 10% H2O2 on equipment and selected materials representative of a hatcher or poultry house was investigated. A solar cell calculator, a thermostat containing a microswitch, and samples of uncoated steel, galvanized steel, and uncoated aluminum were subjected to 10 fumigation cycles. No damage was detected in the calculator and the thermostat. Both the uncoated steel and the galvanized steel showed signs of oxidation. The aluminum did not show signs of oxidation.

Aerosols↗

Evaluation of chemical amendments to reduce ammonia volatilization from poultry litter.

Ammonia volatilization from poultry litter often causes high levels of atmospheric ammonia in poultry houses, which is detrimental to both farm workers and birds. Ammonia emissions from houses also aggravate environmental problems, such as acid rain, and result in a loss of fertilizer nitrogen. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of litter amendments on ammonia volatilization and to determine the effect of these amendments on nitrogen and phosphorus content in litter. The results of this research indicate that alum [Al2(SO4)3.18H2O], ferrous sulfate (FeSO4.7H2O), and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) dramatically reduce ammonia volatilization form litter. The amount of ammonia lost from litter treated with sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4) and a proprietory product made of Ca-Fe silicate with a phosphoric acid coating was not different from the control (untreated litter). Aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferrous sulfate also reduced water soluble P concentrations in litter, whereas phosphoric acid greatly increased water-soluble P levels. The most effective compound evaluated with respect to reducing both ammonia loss and P solubility was alum.

Air Pollution↗

Use of oleic acid to reduce the population of the bacterial flora of poultry skin.

The effect of oleic acid on native bacterial flora of poultry skin was examined. Skin from commercial broiler carcasses was washed once or twice in solutions of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10% (wt/vol) oleic acid and rinsed in peptone water. Aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, and enterococci in the rinsates were enumerated. Significantly fewer aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, and enterococci were recovered from rinsates of skin washed in oleic acid than from control samples. Additionally, fewer bacteria were recovered from rinsates of skin washed in higher concentrations of oleic acid than from skin washed in lower concentrations of the fatty acid. In most cases, there was no significant difference in the number of bacteria recovered from rinsates of skin washed once or twice in solutions of oleic acid. Washing skin samples twice in 10% solutions of oleic acid significantly reduced the number of aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Campylobacter, and enterococci that remained attached to the skin. Campylobacter sp., Enterococcus faecalis, and Listeria monocytogenes isolates possessed the least resistance to the antibacterial activity of oleic acid in vitro, while Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed higher resistance. Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus lentus, and Salmonella Typhimurium had the greatest resistance to the antibacterial activity of oleic acid. Findings indicate that oleic acid reduces the number of bacteria on the skin of processed broilers and that the fatty acid is bactericidal to several spoilage and pathogenic bacteria associated with poultry.

Animals↗

Classification of grossly detectable abnormalities and conditions seen at postmortem in Canadian poultry abattoirs according to a hazard identification decision tree.

This study was designed to review all grossly detectable abnormalities and conditions (GDACs) encountered in poultry in Canadian abattoirs to determine which have potential to cause adverse health effects for the consumer. Review of the literature and consultation with scientists in the field of microbiology, epidemiology, poultry pathology, chemistry, and meat inspection served to generate an inventory of GDACs, and a decision tree containing algorithms was developed to identify GDACs potentially representing a health hazard to consumers. Through the use of the decision tree, GDACs were classified into different categories with regard to the risk they represent to humans. A number of GDACs were identified as being of potential concern from a food safety perspective, namely Erysipelas, fowl cholera, Campylobacteriosis, clostridial diseases, hepatitis/enteritis associated with Helicobacter, Listeriosis, Salmonella infections (nontyphoid infections, Salmonella arizonae, pullorum disease, and fowl typhoid), Staphylococcosis, and Toxoplasmosis. Further characterization--i.e., hazard characterization, exposure assessment, and risk characterization--is required to quantify or better characterize the probability that products derived from affected carcasses may affect the consumer as well as the resulting consequences. Risk assessment is a dynamic process. Results presented in this paper are based on available information and expert opinion. As new information is obtained, the inventory of GDACs and their classification may be modified.

Abattoirs↗

Continuous online processing of fecal- and ingesta-contaminated poultry carcasses using an acidified sodium chlorite antimicrobial intervention.

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the combined use of an inside-outside-bird-washer for the removal of visible contamination and an online acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) spray system in reducing microbial levels on contaminated poultry carcasses. Specifically, we attempted to determine if this technique (referred to as continuous online processing [COP]) would (i) eliminate the need for offline reprocessing of contaminated carcasses, (ii) meet Zero Fecal Tolerance standards, and (iii) attain significant reductions in titers of some of the commonly found bacterial species. Carcasses were sampled for Ercherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter at five stations along the processing lines in a series of five commercial plant studies to compare the efficacy of the COP system to that of offline processing. The microbiological quality of fecally contaminated carcasses was found to be significantly better following COP treatment (E. coli, 0.59 log10 CFU/ml; Salmonella, 10.0% incidence) than after standard offline reprocessing (E. coli, 2.37 log10 CFU/ml; Salmonella, 31.6% incidence). Zero Fecal Tolerance requirements were met by all but 2 (0.2%) of the 1.127 carcasses following COP. COP also significantly reduced the titers of Campylobacter; residual titers were 1.14 log10 CFU/ml (49.1% incidence) following COP, compared to 2.89 log10 CFU/ml (73.2% incidence) in carcasses that underwent offline reprocessing. These results support the combined use of an inside-outside-bird-washer for the removal of visible contamination and an online ASC spray system to reduce microbial levels in commercially processed poultry.

Animals↗

Traditional versus hazard analysis and critical control point-based inspection: results from a poultry slaughter project.

Federal meat and poultry inspection has changed little since the Federal Meat Inspection Act was passed in 1906, followed by the Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1957 and related amendments. These acts mandate sensory or organoleptic (sight, smell, and touch) inspection of all carcasses. For several decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been urged by various organizations to move to a scientific, risk-based inspection system. In partial response to these calls, the FSIS has developed new slaughter inspection models that are currently being tested with volunteer plants in the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP)-based inspection models project. To evaluate whether plants operating under the new inspection models perform at least as well as they did under the current or traditional system, microbial and organoleptic data are being collected before and after the implementation of the new inspection models. In this article, we describe the baseline and models data collection procedures and present the results of the baseline and models data collection for eight plants that slaughter young chickens. The results from the first eight volunteer plants suggest that inspection under the new models is equivalent and in some ways superior to that of traditional inspection. This pilot project suggests that new slaughter inspection systems, which rely on HACCP principles with FSIS oversight and verification services, can maintain or even improve food safety and other consumer protection conditions relative to traditional hands-on inspection methods.

Animals↗

Enteric bacteriophages as potential fecal indicators in ground beef and poultry meat.

Recovery efficiencies of enteric bacteriophages (F+ RNA coliphages, somatic coliphages, and Salmonella phages) as alternative fecal indicators were determined from ground beef and chicken breast meat using amino acid eluants (glycine and threonine) and a complex eluant (3% beef extract). Levels of F+ RNA coliphages (MS2, GA, Qbeta, FI, and SP), the somatic coliphage phiX174, and three environmental isolates of Salmonella phages (isolated from raw sewage) were assayed using three respective hosts: Escherichia coli Famp, E. coli C, and Salmonella Typhimurium. When 8% polyethylene glycol and 0.1 M NaCl were used to precipitate bacteriophages eluted with five different eluants, the highest recoveries of the three phage groups were with 0.5 M threonine and 0.25 M glycine-threonine. The average recoveries of F+ RNA coliphages, somatic coliphages, and the Salmonella phages from ground beef and chicken meat were 100, 69, and 65%, respectively, with threonine (0.5 M, pH 9.0) as the eluate. Of eight market food samples tested, F+ RNA coliphages were detected in five (63%) and somatic coliphages were detected in seven (88%). The overall detection sensitivity of the method was 3 PFU/100 g of ground beef or chicken meat. Levels of bacteriophages and bacterial indicators on chicken carcass surfaces were determined at identified critical control points at a poultry plant. Through the processing steps of evisceration, washing, and chilling, the levels of F+ RNA coliphages and fecal coliforms were reduced by 1.6 and 1.9 log10 PFU or CFU/100 g, respectively. F+ RNA coliphages and perhaps other enteric bacteriophages may be effective candidate indicators for monitoring the microbiological quality of meat, poultry, and perhaps other foods during processing. The bacteriophage concentration method developed provides a simple, rapid, and practical tool for the evaluation of fecal contamination levels in ground beef and processed chicken meat.

Animals↗

Occurrence and distribution of Arcobacter species in poultry processing.

A total of 16 broiler flocks slaughtered in the morning in eight Belgian poultry slaughterhouses were examined for the presence of Campylobacteraceae. In samples collected before and after chilling, the prevalence of arcobacters was found to be higher than the prevalence of thermophilic campylobacters, with the slaughter procedure used having no clear effect. Two slaughterhouses were selected for a detailed investigation of the occurrence and distribution of arcobacters. Sampling carried out before slaughter revealed that both Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus were commonly present on the slaughter equipment in both plants. These findings indicate inadequate decontamination of the slaughterhouse environment and suggest potential Arcobacter contamination of broiler carcasses through the slaughter equipment. Even before evisceration, contamination levels of hundreds to several thousands of arcobacters per gram of neck skin were detected. It appears unlikely that contamination through slaughter equipment alone explains the high contamination levels found for poultry products. Arcobacters were not isolated from the 30 intestinal tracts sampled for each broiler flock examined. A. cryaerophilus was the only Arcobacter species recovered from the transport crate samples collected before and after washing. Arcobacter contamination during slaughter, either direct (from chicken intestinal content or feces) or indirect (from equipment), was not confirmed. The origin and the precise routes of contamination remain to be determined.

Abattoirs↗

Comparison of different most-probable-number methods for enumeration of Listeria in poultry.

To estimate levels of Listeria spp. in poultry and to select the most appropriate enumeration method for routine analysis, 40 naturally contaminated retail chicken carcasses were tested in Ponferrada (León, N.W. Spain) using the direct plate count technique and various most-probable-number (MPN) designs (UVM I [University of Vermont modified Listeria enrichment broth], Fraser enrichment broth, or both were used in 3-, 5-, and 10-tube MPN techniques). MPN estimation was obtained from the number of tubes with Listeria confirmed (after streaking on PALCAM and modified Oxford agars: "true" MPN) and from the number of dark Fraser broth tubes ("predictive" MPN). Samples were analyzed in duplicate. Low levels of Listeria were found (< 110 CFU/g). The direct plate count technique was totally ineffective for enumerating Listeria in poultry. The single-step (UVM I) and the two-step (UVM I-Fraser) MPN methods gave comparable estimations and a low number of significantly discrepant predictions. Using a single-step method with Fraser broth, lower true MPNs were obtained. The number of tubes used (3, 5, or 10) did not have a substantial influence on the results. Similar estimations, highly correlated (r = 0.538 to 0.968; P < 0.001), were found with (true MPN) and without (predictive MPN) plating confirmation when using the two-step MPN method. The statistical evaluation of the differential character of Fraser broth as part of the two-step MPN method showed high sensitivity (87.5 to 92.5%), specificity (95.2 to 98.6%), efficiency (94.2 to 97.6%), and predictive values (73.6 to 89.9% for a positive test and 98.0 to 98.9% for a negative test). Taking into account these results, we suggest the convenience of using a 3- or 5-tube two-step (UVM I-Fraser) MPN method with estimations obtained from the number of tubes with darkening, without confirmation, in order to achieve great savings in time and money.

Animals↗

A rapid most-probable-number-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection and enumeration of Salmonella Typhimurium in poultry wastewater.

The rapid and accurate detection and enumeration of low levels of Salmonella Typhimurium in food processing facilities are critical components of an effective hazard analysis critical control point program. The objective of this study was to develop a rapid (8 h) most probable number (MPN)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and enumeration of Salmonella Typhimurium in wastewater. The specific objectives were to (i) characterize poly- and monoclonal Salmonella Typhimurium-specific antibodies in order to select the most specific and sensitive antibody for Salmonella Typhimurium detection, and (ii) validate the MPN assay through a correlation between the 8-h MPN-ELISA and the traditional 48-h Salmonella Typhimurium MPN method in poultry scald water. Poultry scald water samples were spiked with 10 and 50 CFU/ml of Salmonella Typhimurium. The traditional MPN method used a 48-h enrichment period followed by an analysis, while the MPN-ELISA used a 5-h enrichment period followed by a 3-h ELISA analysis. No differences (P < 0.05) were found between the traditional MPN and the MPN-ELISA, indicating the promise of the MPN-ELISA for the rapid detection and enumeration of Salmonella Typhimurium within an 8-h shift. This abbreviated assay will permit increased product sampling and more rapid movement of food between production and processing, resulting in reduced spoilage and quality losses.

Animals↗

A comparison of three methods for the isolation of Arcobacter spp. from retail raw poultry in Northern Ireland.

Recent evidence suggests that arcobacters, especially Arcobacter butzleri, are potential foodborne pathogens, but standardized detection methods have yet to be established. A study was undertaken to determine which of three isolation methods was the most effective for the isolation of Arcobacter spp. from fresh raw poultry. Methods 1 was microaerobic and involved a membrane filtration step followed by plating onto blood agar. Method 2 was also microaerobic and involved enrichment and plating media containing a five-antibiotic cocktail. Method 3 was aerobic and was based on enrichment in a charcoal-based broth containing two antibiotics. Retail poultry samples (n = 50) were obtained from supermarkets in Northern Ireland; the European Community license number was recorded to ensure sample diversity. Presumptive arcobacters were identified using genus-specific and species-specific primers. Methods 1 resulted in the lowest recovery of arcobacters (28% of samples positive). The detection rate for method 2 (68%) was higher than that for method 3 (50%), but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Modification of method 3 by plating the enrichment broth at 24 h, as well as at 48 h, increased recovery to 68%. Use of methods 2 and 3 together increased the number of positive samples detected by approximately 25% compared with use of either method alone. A. butzleri was the most commonly isolated species using all methods. Method 3 detected Arcobacter cryaerophilus in more samples (n = 3) than did method 1 and 2 (n = 1). Arcobacter skirrowii was detected by only method 3 (n = 1). In terms of sensitivity, ease of use, and diversity of species recovered, modified method 3 was the overall method of choice.

Animals↗