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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Livestock Behavior Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192349
Title: PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA ENTERICA SEROTYPE TYPHIMURIUM IN SWINE AT SLAUGHTER

Author
item Rostagno, Marcos
item HURD, H - IOWA STATE UNIV
item MCKEAN, J - IOWA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2006
Publication Date: 7/9/2006
Citation: Rostagno, M.H., Hurd, H.S., Mckean, J. Prevalence of salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium in swine at slaughter. Journal of Animal Science. 84(1):252.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Salmonella enterica is recognized as an important foodborne pathogen with multiple potential sources, including pork. Although S. enterica constitutes a very heterogeneous group of bacteria, including more than 2,400 serotypes, only a limited number of serotypes are responsible for most outbreaks. Despite the importance of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium as the most common cause of foodborne infections, a limited number of serotype-specific epidemiological studies are available, particularly in swine. Therefore, the objective of this cross-sectional survey was to analyze data available from multiple studies conducted by our research team estimating the prevalence of S. enterica overall, and specifically of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium in swine at slaughter. A total of 1,110 pigs from three large capacity abattoirs located in the Midwestern U.S. were individually sampled at slaughter. Individually paired samples collected included: cecal contents and ileocecal lymph nodes. Samples were collected on multiple occasions in all three abattoirs, transported to the laboratory, and processed for the isolation and identification of S. enterica. The prevalence of S. enterica, based on any of the samples collected (i.e., pigs positive in at least one of the samples), was: 57.1% in abattoir A, 48.3% in abattoir B, 70.2% in abattoir C, and 62.6% overall. A variety of S. enterica serotypes was isolated in all abattoirs. The prevalence of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium found was: 18.8% in abattoir A, 5.8% in abattoir B, 38.7% in abattoir C, and 27.3% overall. This study confirms that the S. enterica prevalence at slaughter in swine is high, requiring attention due to the associated risk of contamination of the abattoir environment. The proportion of S. enterica-positive animals carrying specifically the serotype Typhimurium varied between abattoirs.