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PubMed2000

Bacterial counts associated with poultry processing at different sampling times.

Aerobic plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts and Pseudomonas counts were performed on neck skin samples from six processing steps in a poultry abattoir at three different sampling times. Sampling time 1 was shortly after start-up of processing operations, time 2 after a tea break which was preceded by a cold water rinse-down of equipment surfaces, and time 3 before shut-down. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in microbial numbers of neck skin samples were observed between the three sampling times at the six sampling sites. At this particular processing plant, therefore, sampling at any time of the processing shift would thus not lead to significantly different bacterial counts of neck skins. The lowest aerobic plate counts, over all three sampling times, were obtained for neck skins sampled after spray washing, and the highest for neck skins sampled after packaging. This indicated the efficacy of the washing step in reducing microbial contamination but subsequent re-contamination of carcasses. Despite the Pseudomonas counts of neck skins being lower than the Enterobacteriaceae counts at the beginning of processing, packaging of carcasses resulted in Pseudomonas counts that were higher than the Enterobacteriaceae counts.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2006

Eye and respiratory symptoms in poultry processing workers exposed to chlorine by-products.

BACKGROUND: CDC/NIOSH responded to a request to investigate complaints of eye and respiratory irritation among workers in a poultry processing facility's evisceration department. METHODS: Investigators administered symptom questionnaires and sampled for chlorine and chloramines. Spirometry was performed on workers before and after their work shift. RESULTS: Symptoms were significantly more prevalent in evisceration workers than in dark meat workers (a control group). Air concentrations of chloramine compounds (i.e., trichloramine and 'soluble chlorine') were significantly higher in the evisceration area than the dark meat area. Exposure levels were significantly higher for employees reporting various symptoms compared to employees not reporting those symptoms. Mean trichloramine exposure concentrations were significantly higher in workers with significant cross-shift declines in lung function; air concentrations of 'soluble chlorine' were higher as well, however, not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this evaluation suggest a health hazard may exist from exposure to chloramines.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Dermatoses among poultry slaughterhouse workers.

A survey on the incidence of occupational dermatoses among poultry slaughterhouse workers, who, in order to do their work more efficiently, protected their hands only with cotton gloves, revealed that many workers had dermatoses of the hands. Their symptoms included maceration, erosio interdigitalis, paronychia, trichophytia unguium, and eczema, presumably caused by the constant wetness of their hands during work. Candida albicans was detected in the ungual lesions of some patients. A second survey including a skin examination was performed at a plant where preventive measures such as better working gloves and improved sanitary conditions had been implemented because of the high incidence of skin disorders. The results of this survey showed marked improvement in the reduction of the incidence of dermatoses.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1987

Polysaccharide degrading enzymes of a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus clavatus from Nigerian poultry feeds.

The factors responsible for the production and activities of polysaccharide degrading enzymes of a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus clavatus (ASC - IB 202) on an oat meal chaff (OMC) medium were studied. The enzymes assayed for were amylases, CM-cellulases, filter paper (FP)-cellulases, xylanases and dextranases. Amylase production by A. clavatus (ASC - IB 202) reached a peak within 48 h of incubation at 30 degrees C while optimal production of CM-cellulases occurred on day 6. The FP-cellulase and xylanase production did not reach a peak within the 10 day incubation period. Determination of dextranase activity showed optimal production and activity between days 6 and 8. When grown on varying sources of carbon at 30 degrees C, CM-cellulase production was only recorded on cellobiose, CM-cellulose and on the OMC medium. FP-cellulase production occurred on the microcrystalline cellulose and on the OMC medium. The other enzymes were produced to various extents on the carbon sources used. The best mycelial growth was recorded at 30 degrees C and pH 6.0. So also were the peak production of CM-cellulases and FP-cellulases. The xylanase and dextranase activity of the culture filtrate were optimally produced at 30 degrees C and pH 5.4. The potential health hazards which the presence of this toxigenic strain of Aspergillus clavatus on poultry feeds poses to farm animals including man are discussed.

Amylases↗
PubMed1989

Cytological effects of fungal metabolites produced by fungi isolated from Egyptian poultry feedstuffs.

The cytogenetic effects of fungal metabolites produced by 113 strains belonging to 36 fungal species and isolated form 5 substrates of commercial poultry feedstuffs were tested for their effect on the growing root meristems of Allium cepa. The fungal metabolites of Paecilomyces canescens, Aspergillus fumigatus, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Aspergillus terreus and Mucor hiemalis strongly suppressed cell division. Metabolites from other strains had less effect on cell division but permitted the appearance of several abnormalities through different mitotic stages. In general, chromosomal aberrations were more obvious with metabolites of Aspergillus species, Mucor circinelloides and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The mutagenic effects produced by these fungal metabolites reflect the risk that might take place through the consumption of these contaminated feedstuffs.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1989

Fungal flora of poultry feedstuff ingredients.

One hundred and ten samples representing five types of poultry feed ingredients were mycologically examined. These samples included soybean meal, ground maize, cotton-seed cake, wheat bran and fish meal (22 samples each). Among the 73 mesophilic fungal species, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus were the most dominant. A. terreus, A. flavipes, Mucor circinelloides, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium moniliforme and Rhizopus stolonifer were found to be common on a particular ingredient and less common on the remainders. Of the twelve thermophilic and thermotolerant species, A. fumigatus, Thermomyces lanuginosus, Rhizomucor pusillus and Thermoascus thermophilus prevailed on one or more type of the different ingredients. Marked variations were observed in the rancid fatty compounds of the different samples and the values ranged between 0.663 and 3.900 mg malonaldehyde per kg sample.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1990

Some physiological studies on fungi isolated from poultry feedstuffs.

A total of 506 isolates of mesophilic, thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from the poultry feed ingredients included soybean meals, ground maize, cottonseed cake, wheat bran and fish meal, on glucose-Czapek's agar, Littman oxgall agar at 28 degrees C and yeast starch agar (YPSs) at 45 degrees C, were screened for their ability to produce hydrolytic protease enzyme on solid media. Most of the fungal isolates were able to produce such enzymes but with variable capabilities. The highest proteolytic activity was exhibited by some isolates of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus, Thermoascus thermophilus and Rhizopus chizopodifarmis. Of all fungal isolates screened for proteolytic activity, Penicillium chrysogenum and Thermoascus thermophilus produced the highest amounts of proteases. These two isolates were used to study the effect of some environmental and nutritional factors on their proteolytic activity. It was found that the highest yield of protease by P. chrysogenum (12.5 units) was achieved 3 days after incubation at 30 degrees C. Marked reduction in protease activity was observed at 37 degrees C. The thermophilic fungus T. thermophillus exhibited maximum (18 units) proteolytic activity 6 days after incubation at 45 degrees C. The enzyme yield was reduced to 13 units at 50 degrees C. Among the seven carbon sources tested, sucrose was the most appropriate for maximum protease production by both P. chrysogenum and T. thermophilus (13.2 and 12.8 units, respectively). Of the sixteen nitrogen sources investigated, NaNO3 was the best inorganic additive nitrogenous salt which induced the highest proteolytic activity by P. chrysogenum and T. thermophilus, whereas DL-tryptophan was the most preferable organic nitrogen compound for maximum protease production by the two fungi tested.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1993

Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin content in poultry feedstuff ingredients.

Fifty isolates of Aspergillus flavus as well as 25 isolates of each of A. fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. terreus and Fusarium spp. isolated from poultry feeds were screened for toxin production. Of these isolates, 20% have been detected to exhibit toxigenic activity. The mycotoxin content was determined in samples of grind maize, cotton-seed cake, fish meal, wheat bran and soybean meal. 80% of maize samples were highly contaminated with aflatoxins (480 micrograms/kg) and zearalenone (40 micrograms/kg). Aflatoxins B1 and B2 were found in 50 and 30% of cotton-seed cake and fish meal, respectively. With wheat bran, 40% of the samples contained aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone. Soybean meal appeared to be a poor substrate for mycotoxin formation.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1995

Microbiological survey of a South African poultry processing plant.

Bacterial populations associated with poultry processing were determined on neck skin samples, equipment surfaces and environmental samples by replicate surveys. Aerobic plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts and Pseudomonas counts were performed by standard procedures and the prevalence of Listeria, presumptive Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus determined. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases in counts of all types of bacteria were obtained on product samples as a result of processing. Although bacterial counts on neck skin samples decreased by 0.3 to 0.4 log CFU g-1 after spray washing of carcasses, subsequent spinchilling and packaging of whole carcasses resulted in 0.7 to 1.2 log CFU g-1 increases. Bacterial numbers on equipment surfaces, however, decreased significantly from the "dirty" to the "clean" areas of the abattoir. Transport cages, "rubber fingers", defeathering curtains, shackles and conveyor belts repeatedly showed aerobic plate counts in excess of 5.0 log CFU 25 cm-2. Aerobic plate counts of scald tank and spinchiller water were 2 log CFU ml-1 higher than those of potable water samples. Bacterial numbers of the air in the "dirty" area were higher than those of the "clean" area. Listeria, presumptive Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 27.6, 51.7 and 24.1% of all product samples, respectively, and Listeria and Staphylococcus aureus were also isolated from selected equipment surfaces.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Microbiological status of selected chicken carcases from a non-automated poultry processing plant.

The microbiological status of chicken carcases sampled at three different processing points in a South African Grade B poultry abattoir slaughtering ca. 750 birds per hour, was determined. Six skin samples and two meat samples were aseptically collected from different sites on each carcase. Total bacterial counts were performed at 25 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C and all colonies from plates showing between 30 and 300 cfu were characterised. Bacterial counts of the skin samples at 37 degrees C were consistently the highest, followed by those at 25 degrees C and then 43 degrees, but for the two meat samples the highest bacterial counts were found at 37 degrees C and the lowest at 25 degrees C. Neck skin counts were marginally higher than bacterial counts of the other skin samples. The Gram negative genera Escherichia and Acinetobacter were isolated most frequently at all three incubation temperatures and from all sampling sites, while the dominant Gram positive genera were Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. Escherichia isolates predominated on the skin sampling site cranio-dorsal to the pygostyle, whilst Staphylococcus isolates predominated on the skin sampling site caudal to the breastbone. Microbiological contamination is a major problem in the abattoir studied and further studies should therefore aim to determine points of maximum contamination in the processing line.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The influenza virus gene pool in a poultry market in South central china.

We surveyed influenza activity in a live poultry market in Central China for 16 months, isolating viruses from 1% of 6360 fecal samples. We obtained multiple H3N6, H9N2, H2N9, H3N3, and H4N6 isolates and single H1N1 and H3N2 isolates. Two distinct H3 molecules were identified; other hemagglutinin subtypes were phylogenetically homogeneous. The H3N6 viruses (9 genotypes) and H9N2 viruses (4 genotypes) were genetically heterogeneous, whereas the H2N9, H3N3 and H4N6 viruses had single genotypes. Thirteen representative viruses were tested for their ability to replicate in quail and chickens. All tested viruses replicated in the respiratory tract of quail. Only nine of the viruses were shed in detectable levels in infected chickens, and four of these were detected in less than 50% of infected birds. A single H4N6 isolate caused disease and systemic spread in chickens. These findings show that quail are broadly susceptible to different subtypes of influenza A virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Health effects of exposure to endotoxins and organic dust in poultry slaughter-house workers.

Twenty-three dust-exposed shacklers in the hanging departments of four poultry slaughter-house plants were examined immediately before work on a Monday morning with a standardized interview, pulmonary function tests (VC and FEV1), and blood sampling for analysis of complement factors. The examinations were repeated immediately after work the same day. Further, the individual breathing zone levels of both total dust and endotoxins were monitored during the whole work-shift. Moreover, spot samples of airborne bacteria and fungi were collected. The mean level of total dust was 6.3 mg/m3 (range 0.4-15.3 mg/m3) and of endotoxins 0.40 micrograms/m3 (range 0.02-1.50 micrograms/m3). Total levels of 4 x 10(5)-4 x 10(6) cfu/m3 of airborne bacteria, mainly coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains, but only 500-4000 cfu/m3 of fungi were found in the hanging departments. An over-shift increase in respiratory symptoms was found, but none of the workers had experienced any symptoms indicating extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) or organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). Further, mean over-shift decreases of VC (3.1%) and FEV1 (4.1%) were found, indicating a harmful effect on the bronchi. There were, however, no associations between these over-shift decreases and the individual time-weighted average breathing zone levels of either total dust or of endotoxins. No over-shift change in serum complement factors was observed.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1988

Corn as a source of mycotoxins in Indonesian poultry feeds and the effectiveness of visual examination methods for detecting contamination.

Every truck load of corn (n = 52) entering and every batch of poultry feed (n = 290) leaving a Bogor feedmill over one year was analysed for aflatoxins, zearalenone, ochratoxin A and sterigmatocystin. Fifty loads of corn and 274 of the batches of chicken feed contained aflatoxins. Zearalenone was detected in 11 corn samples but was not found in the formulated feed. Ochratoxin A was detected in one corn sample, but not in feed. Corn can account for all of the aflatoxin in the feed since levels were always lower in the finished product. There was no quantitative association between the proportion of bright green-yellow fluorescent, purple or mouldy kernels and the mycotoxin contents of the composite samples. Nevertheless, the absence of abnormal kernels indicates higher quality corn since the highest levels of mycotoxins occurred in the abnormal kernels.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMed1986

Aflatoxin-producing potential of Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from Spanish poultry feeds.

A total of 126 fungal strains belonging to the Aspergillus flavus group isolated from commercial poultry mixed feeds were studied. One hundred and twenty-five were identified as A. flavus and one as A. parasiticus. Forty nine strains (39%) produced aflatoxins on a crushed moist wheat medium (28 degrees C/10 days), whereas only sixteen (13%) showed specific fluorescence on Aflatoxin-Producing Ability Medium. In both media, mainly aflatoxins B1 and B2 were detected, the average concentration of aflatoxins being 4 294 +/- 1 083 micrograms/kg in crushed moist wheat medium, and 877 +/- 257 micrograms/kg in Aflatoxin-Producing Ability Medium.

Aflatoxin B1↗
PubMed1987

Toxigenic fungi and the deterioration of Nigerian poultry feeds.

Growth of toxigenic strains of Aspergillus clavatus Des. and Aspergillus flavus Link at 30 degrees C on milled poultry feeds led to a considerable decrease in the protein, oil and crude fibre contents of the feed substrate. A corresponding increase in the free fatty acid fractions of the feeds due to the activities of these microbes was also recorded. Rapid degradation of the feedstuff by both species was recorded at a temperature of 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C and a pH range of 4.8-6.4. When grown on feed infusion broth at 30 degrees C, the highest amounts of mycelial production with sporulation of both fungal species occurred within the 8-day incubation period. A determination of their extra-cellular enzyme profile showed the production of amylases, pectate lyase, cellulases, proteases, lipases, xyalanases, DNase and RNase. All the carbon and nitrogen sources used (except L-sorbose and DL-tryptophan), supported good mycelial growth with sporulation. An optimal C:N ratio of 5.0:4.5 and 7.5:3.0 was recorded for growth and sporulation of A. clavatus. For A. flavus, a C:N ratio of 7.5:4.5 was found best for growth and 5.0:3.0 for sporulation.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1994

Risk factors for high blood pressure among workers in French poultry slaughterhouses and canneries.

The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between the working conditions of employees in the food industry and blood pressure. An epidemiological survey was conducted between 1987 and 1988 in 17 poultry slaughterhouses and 6 canneries in the French regions of 'Bretagne' and 'Pays de Loire'. One thousand, four hundred and seventy-four workers were included in the study. Data was collected in the course of the medical visit organized annually for employees. Mean diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were analyzed separately for male and female workers. The results indicate a significant relationship between blood pressure, and age and obesity. Amongst the various features of working condition studies, loud noise and the number of work breaks were found to be associated with heightened mean values of DBP or SBP in men only. Type and size of the factory was found to be associated with blood pressure readings for both sexes. A number of working conditions giving rise to heightened mental strain were found to be related to a lowering in mean blood pressure: for example, irregular work finishing times for men and production-line work for women. A discussion of these results reveals the complexity of the relationships which exist between physical and environmental factors in this type of setting and blood pressure of employees.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1982

Efficacy of fenbendazole against helminth parasites of poultry in Uganda.

Fenbendazole 4% (Panacur, Hoechst) administered in feed was used to treat chickens infected with Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Railletina spp. It was also used to treat Syngamus trachea in broiler birds. There was a marked drop in helminth egg counts in the faeces on the second day of treatment and the faeces became negative by the seventh day after the last treatment. Post-mortem examination 15 to 21 days later showed that the drug was 100% effective against Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum at 10 mg/kg. However, for complete removal of Railletina spp. 15 mg/kg was required. Similarly 20 mg/kg fenbendazole was effective against Syngamus trachea. It was concluded that fenbendazole is suitable for the treatment of the important intestinal and tracheal worms of poultry, a dose of 15 to 20 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days being recommended for use under field conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of management changes on hatchability and bacterial infections on a Saudi Arabian poultry breeding farm.

A new management programme for improvement of hatchability and reduction of transmission of bacterial potential pathogens from breeders to hatchery products was applied on a Saudi Arabian poultry farm. The technical changes included better nest engineering, improved cleaning of hatching eggs and better criteria for selecting eggs for incubation. The new nests led to a change in laying behaviour with 86.6% of eggs layed in nests which was significantly higher than was achieved previously. Bacterial penetration in dirty floor eggs was significantly higher than in clean nest eggs. The average hatchability was significantly higher for the flock under the new management than for the same age flock under the old management. The new management reduced transmission of paratyphoid organisms and Escherichia coli from infected breeders to their hatchery products. The old and new managements differed in the percentage of products infected with Salmonella.

Animal Husbandry↗