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PubMed2006

Survey on the hygienic status of plastic doors of a pig abattoir.

Three pig abattoirs in northeastern Germany were visited for examination of flexible plastic doors at the access to the chilling room. Swabs were taken from the front and back of the doors and were examined for aerobic plate count, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The aerobic plate count was within the range of 1.2 to 4.1 log CFU/cm2 on the front. On the back, between 0.9 and 3.5 log CFU/cm2 were obtained. In all three abattoirs, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, and Campylobacter were detected. The highest contamination was found at the bottom of the door wings. Transfer of pathogens via contact of carcasses and doors must be considered possible. As a consequence, this contact surface should be integrated into the control program of cleaning and disinfection.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2006

Electrolyzed oxidizing anode water as a sanitizer for use in abattoirs.

The effectiveness of electrolyzed oxidizing anode (EOA) water (oxidation-reduction potential, 1,120 mV; pH 2.0) as a sanitizer for use in abattoirs was compared with the iodophor (IOD) Mikroklene (25 ppm), a sanitizer approved for use by regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States. A total of 240 swab (100 cm2) samples were obtained from 4 sites on the kill floor and 16 sites in the secondary processing areas, during two visits within a 4-week period to each of three meat packing plants, processing < or =50 animals per week. Swabs were obtained 12 h after the application of IOD and EOA and were analyzed for the presence of total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, and total Escherichia coli. Total aerobic bacteria (log CFU/ 100 cm2) recovered from the 20 sample sites were lower (P < 0.0001) in EOA as compared with IOD (2.94 +/- 0.12 versus 3.75 +/- 0.12, respectively). Plant A was 1.5 times more likely (P < 0.0001) to have a sampling site positive for the presence of coliforms and E. coli than plants B and C. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatment IOD or EOA in the likelihood of obtaining a positive sample for the presence of total coliforms or E. coli among the three plants. When the kill floor and secondary processing areas are compared, the likelihood of obtaining a sample positive for coliforms or E. coli was similar (P > or = 0.05). Results indicate that EOA was more effective than IOD in reducing populations of total aerobic bacteria on equipment surfaces in the three meat packing plants studied. Because the likelihood of obtaining a positive sample for coliforms or E. coli in EOA as compared with IOD was similar, EOA may be a suitable alternative or complement to IOD as a sanitizer in small- to medium-sized abattoirs. Additional research is required to further evaluate the effectiveness of EOA to sanitize processing equipment on the basis of subsequent isolation of aerobes, coliforms, and E. coli from meat products.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Arcobacter butzleri strains from poultry abattoir effluent in Nigeria [corrected].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence, species distribution and genetic diversity of zoonotic Arcobacter species. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Drainage system of a cosmopolitan chicken abattoir in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: One hundred and fifty drainage water samples were enriched in a minimal antibiotics-containing medium at room temperature and bacteria then isolated by use of a membrane filtration method. RESULTS: Twenty six (14%) of samples were positive for Arcobacter spp. Of these, 20 were examined by a comprehensive probabilistic identification scheme for Epsilobacteria and all strains identified as A. butzleri. AFLP analysis of these strains revealed considerable genetic diversity among the strains, with 12 genotypes defined at the 90% similarity level. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of A. butzleri in Nigerian poultry abattoir effluent indicates this species may constitute a public health problem in this country. AFLP profiling could be a useful tool for molecular epidemiological and population genetic studies of this organism. This is the first known report of A. butzleri in Nigeria, and first application of AFLP analysis for genotyping the species.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

[The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among abattoir workers in Lublin].

Abattoir workers are occupationally exposed to Toxoplasma gondii by the contact with raw meat. One hundred and seven abattoir workers from the Meat Factory in Lublin were examined for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Sixty-one blood donors were also tested as the reference group. Sera from workers and referents were tested by direct agglutination with 2-mercaptoethanol (DA-2ME), and also by ELFA IgG and ELFA IgM tests (Vidas Toxo IgM, Vidas Toxo IgG, bioMerieux, France). In the workers group, out of 107 tested sera, 70 were found positive (65.4%). The highest percentage of seropositive results was found in the Cured Meat Division--76.2%. In the Meat Production Division 66.6% of seropositive results were found, and in the Slaughter Division--46.1%. Three persons with the presence of IgM antibodies were found in the Cured Meat Division. In the reference group, 34 out of 61 sera (55.7%) were positive. The difference in seropositivity between Cured Meat Division workers and reference group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The high percentage of seropositive reactions among the workers of Cured Meat Division and the presence of persons in early stage of invasion suggest an increased risk of exposure to T. gondii in this section.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of Q fever infection in the Addis Ababa abattoir.

A total of 465 human sera were collected for a serological survey of Q fever Infection from the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, abattoir, in 1988. The subjects' sera were tested for antibodies against Coxiella burnetti antigen using the complement fixation test. Results indicate a prevalence rate of 6.5%. This finding clearly demonstrates serological evidence of post infection with Q fever in employees of the abattoir.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1985

Guidelines for bacterial counts on carcases at Cato Ridge abattoir.

The agar sausage technique was used to make an assessment of the surface aerobic bacterial levels of refrigerated beef, mutton and pork carcases at Cato Ridge abattoir by taking agar imprints from selected sites on the surfaces of carcases. It was shown that half of the 297 beef carcases examined had less than 200 aerobes cm-2, half of the 298 mutton carcases less than 250 aerobes cm-2 and half the 299 pork carcases less than 134 aerobes cm-2. These counts are utilised as guidelines to identify breakdowns in hygiene at the abattoir.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1977

Salmonellae in Rhodesia: sources and serotypes of some isolates from abattoirs, domestic animals, birds and man.

Sources and serotypes of some salmonellae isolated from abattoirs, domestic animals, birds and man are given. At least 72 serotypes have been identified from 1273 isolations from abattoirs, animals and birds, and from 7 137 isolations from man. The sources and serotypes of these isolations are discussed and some suggestions concerning the epidemiology of Salmonella in Rhodesia are made.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1980

Ascaris suum in Saskatchewan pigs: an abattoir survey of prevalence and intensity of infection.

In a survey of 2500 market weight pigs in a Saskatchewan abattoir, 37% were infected with adult Ascaris suum and in 46% there were milkspot hepatic lesions. A total of 60% of the pigs examined had some evidence of A. suum infection. Most infected pigs contained less than 50 adult ascarids. In a second abattoir survey of a further 2500 market weight pigs, 44% of the animals had milk-spot hepatic lesions. In approximately 12% of the affected pigs these lesions were very severe and a very similar proportion of pigs' livers were condemned or sent for use as animal feed. The results of these surveys are discussed with particular reference to the significance of A. suum infection in growing pigs in Saskatchewan.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1994

Poultry abattoir survey of carcass condemnation for standard, vegetarian, and free range chickens.

During the period April 1991 to March 1992, data concerning the condemnation rate of standard, vegetarian, and free-range chickens were collected and summarized from one federally inspected abattoir in Ontario. The purpose of this study was to discuss the effects of diet, management, and breed of chickens on pathological lesions, ensuing condemnation rates, and consequent losses to the growers and the poultry industry. The data collected at this abattoir revealed that vegetarian chickens showed a higher condemnation rate (5.23%) for disease and nondisease conditions compared with standard (1.48%) and free-range (0.94%) chickens. Free-range chickens were approximately two weeks older than vegetarian and standard chickens at the time of slaughter. The most common causes of condemnation in vegetarian chickens was cellulitis (1.18%), followed by ascites (0.77%). Ascites and cellulitis (0.26% both) were also the most common causes of condemnation in standard chickens. Cyanosis (0.21%) and mutilation (0.17%) represented the highest rate of condemnation in free-range chickens. The low rate of pathological lesions in free-range chickens is a positive trend in poultry disease management.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of anti-Rift-Valley-fever IgM antibody in abattoir workers in the Nile delta during the 1993 outbreak in Egypt.

In the early summer of 1993, an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) was reported among both humans and animals in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. To determine whether RVF infection had spread to the Nile delta region of the country, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of 1181 occupationally exposed abattoir workers (97% male; age 10-72 years) in 15 governorates of Egypt in November 1993. The overall prevalence of anti-RVF virus IgM antibody was 2% (range: 0% (7 governorates) to 10%). The highest prevalences were in Ismailia (10%) and Sharqîya (8%) Governorates. None of the seropositive subjects reported having experienced an episode of fever in the 2 months prior to the study. The prevalence of antibody was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among workers employed in high-risk jobs such as cutting animals' throats (relative risk (RR = 2.24)) and handling animal parts (RR = 2.37). The findings suggest that abattoir workers represent a useful sentinel population for surveillance of RVF.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1996

Relevance of abattoir hygiene assessment to microbial contamination of British beef carcases.

Eleven beef abattoirs were visited, each on five separate occasions. On each occasion, an audit was carried out according to the official Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) and 10 carcases were sampled at four different sites to assess total viable counts and counts of presumptive coliform bacteria. The HAS scores ranged from 11 to 84 (maximum 100), and the logarithmic mean total viable counts for all sampling sites on each batch of carcases varied between 1.98 and 4.14 colony forming units/cm2. The mean prevalence of coliform contamination ranged from 0 to 85 per cent. There was a significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) between the mean HAS scores and the mean total viable count for each abattoir, but not between the HAS scores and the numbers of coliforms. Within the HAS, the mean scores for all five categories, before weighting, showed a significant correlation with the mean total viable count (P < 0.001); however, the categories concerned with slaughter and dressing, and personnel and practices were of most value in determining trends in carcase contamination. A new advisory classification is proposed for levels of microbial contamination on beef carcases.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1997

Sero-prevalence of brucellosis among abattoir personnel of Delhi.

A total of 165 serum samples of abattoir personnel of Delhi were tested by Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), Complement fixation test (CFT) and Dot-Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ElISA). The Seroprevalence was 20.60, 12.75, 50.30 and 25.45 percent, respectively on the basis of RBPT, STAT, CFT and Dot-ELISA. Seroprevalence was highest among blood collectors (99.77%) followed by miscellaneous group (72%), animal handlers (68.96%), butchers (68.00%) and sweepers (57.14%). Among veterinarians, Seroprevalance was 28.57%. The Seroprevalence was more among persons of higher age group. The study indicates that abattoir personnel are at high risk to infection with brucellosis.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1997

An abattoir monitoring system for diagnosis of tuberculosis in cattle in Baja California, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a disease monitoring system in federal, municipal, and private abattoirs in Baja California, Mexico and to estimate annual prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in beef and dairy cattle slaughtered and inspected in 1995 and 1996. DESIGN: Epidemiologic survey. ANIMALS: About 200,000 cattle (95% beef, 5% dairy). PROCEDURES: Lymph node and tissue specimens with lesions suggestive of TB were fixed in neutral-buffered 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with H&E and Ziehl-Neelsen and examined for typical tuberculous lesions and acid-fast bacilli. Annual prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: Prevalence of TB in all slaughtered cattle was 0.12 and 0.46% in 1995 and 1996, respectively (beef cattle, 0.02 and 0.05%, respectively; dairy cattle, 2.0 and 8.3%, respectively). Tuberculosis cases/1,000 slaughtered cattle were linearly associated with monthly volumes of tissue submissions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is critical to quantify the monitoring activity at abattoirs to better estimate the prevalence of TB in slaughtered cattle. Annual prevalence of TB was significantly greater in dairy cattle than in beef cattle. Veterinarians and cattle producers in this region are encouraged to develop and work on herd plans aimed at controlling and eradicating TB.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of an immunobiosensor for the on-site testing of veterinary drug residues at an abattoir. Screening for sulfamethazine in pigs.

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of performing "on-site" screening for sulfamethazine (SMT), at an abattoir, using a rapid immunobiosensor method. This involved transfer of the biosensor technology and an assay developed in the laboratory, to the cold, humid conditions of a modern pig-processing factory. A pre-determined threshold limit of 0.4 microgram ml-1 SMT in bile was used to identify the likelihood that corresponding tissue samples contained SMT concentrations in excess of the European maximum permissible residue limit of 0.1 mg kg-1. Bile samples containing SMT concentrations above the threshold limit were deemed positive and the corresponding kidney and muscle samples were sent to the laboratory for HPLC analysis. The robustness of the biosensor instrumentation in the harsh operating conditions was monitored throughout the project. The performance of the assay, on-site, was assessed by the regular inclusion of QA samples and by the submission of control 'SMT-positive' pigs to the abattoir. Sampling procedures, identification and traceability were also under scrutiny. During the project, 337 (9.35%) of the total kill were tested for SMT residues, representing 75% of all producers submitting pigs for slaughter. Twelve animals, including the ten controls, gave positive bile results. HPLC analysis confirmed SMT residues in all 12 kidneys (11 in excess of the permissible level). Ten muscle samples also contained violative SMT levels. Throughout the project, the biosensor performed reliably, with no adverse reaction of any mechanical or electrical components. The SMT assay also performed reliably. This is the first report of a biosensor being used for 'on-site' drug screening.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Isolation of Salmonella resistant to hypochlorous acid from a poultry abattoir.

Salmonella is a Gram-negative bacterium that has been implicated in several food-borne poisoning outbreaks. Poultry products are considered to be the major vehicles of food-borne poisoning caused by Salmonella. The resistance of Salmonella, isolated from different stages in a local poultry abattoir, to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was studied. Isolates cultured in quarter strength Tryptone Soya Broth were treated with 72 ppm HOCl, incubated at 30 degrees C with shaking, and absorbance was measured at 660 nm every 20 min. A number of resistant isolates, which carried on growing following HOCl addition, were obtained. All the isolates from the bleeding stage were sensitive to HOCl, whereas those from the scalding stage were resistant to HOCl. Other stages had a population of resistant and sensitive isolates. It is evident that some Salmonella will grow in the presence of concentrations of HOCl deemed to be inhibitory. Hence, an effective concentration of HOCl must be applied in poultry abattoirs to ensure that all the Salmonella are eradicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Metabolic compatibility of abattoir and human corneas: an ex vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of intact tissues.

This study establishes the metabolic similarities and differences of intact abattoir corneas and the human cornea ex vivo, using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Phosphorylated sugars (SP), inorganic orthophosphate (Pi), phosphodiesters, ATP, ADP, and the nucleoside diphosphosugars and dinucleotides (NS&DN) were quantitated. The intracorneal pH also was determined. In addition, metabolic indices ATP/Pi, ATP/ADP, ATP/(ADP + Pi), SP/Pi, the phosphorylation potential, and the 31P energy modulus were calculated. Significant differences were observed between the abattoir and human corneas in phosphorylated sugars, NS&DN, and intracorneal pH, as well as in the indices ATP/ADP and SP/Pi. The overall energy status as measured by the 31P energy modulus was significantly higher in the bovine cornea when compared to the porcine and human corneas, suggestive of a very high energy reserve in the bovine cornea.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cellulitis in broiler chickens: a one-year retrospective study in four Québec abattoirs.

A 1-yr retrospective study was undertaken to verify whether the prevalence of cellulitis in broiler chicken flocks was associated 1) with sex and average body weight controlling for the time of year and 2) with some other condemnation causes such as air-sacculitis, ascites, cyanosis, emaciation, valgus varus deformity, peritonitis, and total condemnation rate controlling for sex, average body weight, and time of year. Data were collected from four Québec abattoirs between October 1992 and September 1993. Data from 2452 unisex male and female broiler flocks were compiled and analyzed with univariate and multivariate models. The prevalence of cellulitis among flocks was 42.2 per 10,000 birds slaughtered. Cellulitis was associated with sex and increased with time of year (P < 0.0001). The prevalence was higher in male (mean +/- SD, 50.7+/-24.3; median, 31.8) than in female flocks (mean +/- SD, 34.2+/-15.6; median, 20.0) but showed no relationship with average body weight. Associations between condemnation causes and cellulitis were relatively weak; increases in the prevalence of cellulitis correlated with increases in total condemnation rate (r2 = 0.19), ascites (r2 = 0.09), airsacculitis (r2 = 0.0), cyanosis (r2 = 0.04), peritonitis (r2 = 0.03), emaciation (r2 = 0.02), and valgus varus deformity (r2 = 0.02). These results suggest that flock sex is a potential correlate of cellulitis prevalence in broiler chickens. Associations between the prevalence of cellulitis and other diseases observed at the abattoir were not very strong. However, it appears here that general disease status of Québec broiler flocks is a better indicator of cellulitis occurrence than the main diseases considered individually.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Application of Prionics Western blotting procedure to screen for BSE in cattle regularly slaughtered at Swiss abattoirs.

Disease-specific PrP (PrP(Sc)) is at least part of the infectious particle (prion) causing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or scrapie in sheep. Digestion with protease allows a distinction between normal PrP (PrP(C)) and PrP(Sc) i.e. PrP(C) is completely digested while PrP(Sc) is cleaved at the N-terminus leading to a fragment of reduced molecular weight (PrP 27-30). Detection of this fragment by Western blotting has been described more than a decade ago for rodent PrP. We have now optimized the technique in order to allow rapid analysis of hundreds of samples per day. Here we report the application of this technique to the analysis of 3000 regularly slaughtered cattle from Swiss abattoirs. For comparison all the animals were subsequently examined by classical methods (i.e. histology and immunohistochemistry). All but one animal were negative for BSE by all methods. The Western blot positive animal was confirmed to be a BSE case and the carcass was removed from the food chain. We conclude that it is feasible to examine slaughtered cattle on a routine basis without causing delays to the meat processing industry.

Abattoirs↗