Occurrence of Enterococci as an indicator organism was investigated in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. Altogether, 300 samples were taken, including slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). Statistical analytical results of Enterococci count showed that the highest mean value was recorded in the wall swabs (6.63×10 3 CFU/g) followed by hand swabs of workers then floor swabs then air samples then meat samples and lastly water samples. Additionally, it was recorded that the overall rate of Enterococci isolation was 12% (36 isolates); the highest rate of isolation was recorded in floor swabs (24%) followed by air samples (14%) then wall swabs and air samples (12% for each) and lastly meat samples (4%). Moreover, 20 Enterococcus faecalis isolates were biochemically identified and PCR was employed successfully to confirm the identification of E. faecalis isolates by detection of 16S rRNA specific for E. faecalis. Finally, antibiogram pattern of 20 E. faecalis isolates was investigated realizing that E. faecalis were resistant to Cefotaxime (60%), Amikacin and Linezolid (55 %), Rifampin (50%), Amoxiclav (45%) and Gentamycin and Vancomycin (40%) while it was observed that 80% of isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, molecular detection of Vancomycin resistance gene A (vanA) was performed by PCR, and it was amplified at 885 bp in 8 isolates only with percentage of 40%. Based on the recorded result, increased enterococci count in meat as well as abattoirs environment would have a clear influence on increasing the microbial load of meat so to ensure a high level of safety and lowering the carcasses contamination, HACCP program must be applied.
Hygienic measures in abattoir positively reflect on quality of meat. So, characterization of Salmonella species isolated from the environment of abattoirs as well as meat of slaughtered cattle was carried out in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. A total of 300 samples were collected including slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). It was observed that the highest isolation rate was obtained from hand swabs (8%) followed by meat samples (6%) then floor and wall swabs, and water samples (4% for each) while Salmonella could not be isolated from air samples. Moreover, serotyping of the recovered isolates (n=13) clarified the presence of various serotypes including S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, and S. Virchow with different rates. In addition, PCR was employed successfully for confirmation of the obtained isolates through detection of invA gene of Salmonella strains. Antibiogram pattern of the recovered Salmonella isolates (n=13) clarified that isolates were resistant to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin (76.9%) then Vancomycin (53.8%), while it was found that 92.3% of isolates were sensitive to Gentamycin and Linezolid. Based on the recorded result, isolation of Salmonella from abattoirs environment as well as meat constitutes public hazard for consumers.
The current study was conducted to evaluate the hygienic status of some local abattoirs and its impact on meat quality through determination of aerobic plate, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci, molds, and yeasts counts. This study was conducted in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. A total of 300 samples were collected as following: slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). Statistical analytical results of aerobic plate count clarified that the highest mean value was recorded in the floor swabs (8.9×105 CFU/g) followed by hand swabs of workers (7.41×105 CFU/g) then wall swabs and air samples (7.2×105 CFU/g) then water samples (5.2×105 CFU/g) and lastly meat samples (1.3×105 CFU/g). The highest mean value of Enterobacteriaceae count was recorded in the floor swabs (3.2×104 CFU/g) followed by wall swabs (9.3×103 CFU/g) then air samples (6.63×103 CFU/g) then hand swabs of workers (5.33×103 CFU/g) then water samples (3.19×103 CFU/g) and lastly meat samples (9.02×102 CFU/g). The highest mean value of coliforms count was recorded in the floor swabs (1.65×103 CFU/g) followed by hand swabs of workers (7.23×102 CFU/g) then meat samples (6.10×102 CFU/g) then water samples (4.10×102 CFU/g) then wall swabs (1.72×102 CFU/g) and lastly air samples (1.32×102 CFU/g). On comparison of various microbiological counts on the investigated meat samples with the Egyptian standards, it was clear that most of samples failed to comply with standards confirming the role of contaminated abattoir environment in the obtained result. Results of microbiological examination of the collected samples reflected a clear state of contamination in abattoirs environment that would affect the microbiological quality of the produced meat from these abattoirs that in turn would be harmful for human health.
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