Salmonella is one of the foodborne pathogens most commonly associated with poultry products. The aim of this work was to identify and analyze key sampling points creating risk of Salmonella contamination in a chicken processing plant in Costa Rica and perform a salmonellosis risk analysis. Accordingly, the following examinations were performed: (i) qualitative testing (presence or absence of Salmonella), (ii) quantitative testing (Salmonella CFU counts), and (iii) salmonellosis risk analysis, assuming consumption of contaminated meat from the processing plant selected. Salmonella was isolated in 26% of the carcasses selected, indicating 60% positive in the flocks sampled. The highest Salmonella counts were observed after bleeding (6.1 log CFU per carcass), followed by a gradual decrease during the subsequent control steps. An increase in the percentage of contamination (10 to 40%) was observed during evisceration and spray washing (after evisceration), with Salmonella counts increasing from 3.9 to 5.1 log CFU per carcass. According to the prevalence of Salmonella -contaminated carcasses released to trade (20%), we estimated a risk of 272 cases of salmonellosis per year as a result of the consumption of contaminated chicken. Our study suggests that the processes of evisceration and spray washing represent a risk of Salmonella cross-contamination and/ or recontamination in broilers during slaughter line processing.

Aflatoxins are mold-synthetized secondary metabolites that are ubiquitously present in agricultural commodities, such as cereals which in turn are substantial part of feed formulation. These toxins are capable of causing disease, exert severe toxic effects, and even death in humans and other animals. Aflatoxins are the only mycotoxins with the regulatory framework, hence we present the legal threshold uphold till now by international and regional control organizations. Additionally, herein we discuss worldwide prevalence of aflatoxins in feeds to demonstrate a global issue and major risks involved in toxin contamination. Furthermore, we present recent data regarding negative effects usually presented by food-producing and companionship animals when ingested. Also, we discuss briefly practical approaches to mitigate aflatoxin burden during feed processing focusing in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and we include novel approaches reported in literature to decontaminate feedcontaining aflatoxins. Finally, we cite the literature so far published describing the effects of changing climate on aflatoxin production and contamination.

Salmonella is present in most food production environments and can enter the food supply at any stage of food production from farm to fork. Control strategies for Salmonella include preharvest and postharvest aspects. Preharvest approach is very important because as a result of large-scale production, many animals could be infected with Salmonella serotypes during the primary production, causing human salmonellosis by consuming meat, milk, and eggs or foods containing ingredients of animal origin. The first step for prevention approaches is to determinate the source of infection; Salmonella serovars should be founded, and control strategies must be executed. Infection sources include vertical transmission, feed, pest (rodents and insects), wild birds, water, humans, manure, transportation coops, tractors or vehicles, and farm environment. Preventive and control strategies involve many factors, including hygiene, biosecurity procedures, animal feed surveillance, litter, manure and carcasses disposed, cleaning and disinfection programs, food interventions, diagnostic, and vaccination.

We describe the first whole-genome sequence of a GA13-like isolate of avian infectious bronchitis virus CK/CR/1160/16 (MN757859), obtained in 2016 in the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica. This virus caused an outbreak with great economic impact to the local poultry industry. The genome sequence is 27 696 bp in length, with the following genome organization 5′-UTR-Pol-S-3a-3b-E-4b-4c-M-5a-5b-N-6b-3′-UTR. The complete genome sequence has the highest sequence identity (94.03%) with DMV/1639/GA9977/2019 (MK878536) from Georgia, USA, and the lowest identity (86.03%) with ck/CH/LHLJ/08-6 (KX252788), from China. Analysis of the S1 subunit indicates that the Costa Rican isolate belongs to genotype I, lineage 17 (GI-17) and displays 96.89% identity with the S1 subunit of Ga-13/14255/14 (KM087780) (USA). Possible recombination events in genes S, E, M, 4b y 4c were detected, with Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arkansas and MA5 as potential parental types. This study highlights the importance of the epidemiological and molecular surveillance of avian infectious bronchitis.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the relationship between different degrees of severity of the myopathies known as wooden breast and white stretch marks with physiological, productive and behavioral indicators of well-being. 570 Ross 308 broilers, reared under commercial conditions for 13 weeks, were used. From week 7 to 13, prior to slaughter, the breast of 35 chickens was randomly palpated, according to their consistency and classified as soft, intermediate and firm. Fifteen blood samples were taken from the 35 chickens to obtain the heterophil-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and the hematological profile. Group ethograms were performed by direct observation, weekly. Live weight, breast weight, hot carcass weight, and cold carcass weight were recorded. Each breast was classified according to the degree of severity of the lesions of the white streaks and the wooden breast as normal, mild, moderate and severe. The processed breasts were palpated and classified as soft, medium and firm. Each one was measured for force and shear energy. The results showed that the physiological indicators were not related to the severity of the lesions found for both myopathies. Injury severity increased and was significantly associated with age, live weight, and breast weight. Live chicken breast palpation was highly correlated with processed breast palpation, so live palpation can be used as a noninvasive indicator of consistency and severity of lesions in both myopathies. It is required to evaluate more physiological, behavioral and pain indicators in chickens that present white streaks and wooden breast.

Los aspectos que constituyen el bienestar animal son complejos y multidimensionales. La primera semana de vida es crítica en el desarrollo de los pollos, y los problemas de bienestar son el resultado de una acumulación de factores que comprometen al animal individual y la parvada. El objetivo del trabajo fue identificar indicadores ambientales, de alojamiento, de salud y de comportamiento, para conocer su relación con el bienestar de pollos en granjas comerciales en la primera semana de vida. Se estudió el efecto de múltiples indicadores sobre las variables de bienestar: mortalidad, selección, temperatura corporal, cojeras, rasguños, pododermatitis y rendimientos productivos. Para reducir la complejidad de los factores estudiados se realizó un análisis de componentes principales (CP). Para comprender las relaciones entre los CP y las variables de bienestar animal, se realizaron análisis de correlación y de regresión con los CP como variables regresoras. Se evaluaron 15 granjas comerciales ubicadas en la zona norte y central de Costa Rica durante los meses de enero a julio del 2019. El análisis redujo la complejidad de los indicadores a siete variables: productivas: enfermedad, integridad de piel y patas, densidad, recursos, ambiente y comportamiento. Los CP que mejor describieron la variabilidad en el bienestar fueron: comportamiento, integridad de piel y patas, densidad, enfermedad y recursos. Los modelos que mejor explicaron la relación fueron los que incluyeron el CP de producción y salud; alojamiento y comportamiento; salud y alojamiento; densidad y comportamiento; y enfermedad y alojamiento. La cama húmeda mostró diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en las variables de bienestar, no obstante, la mayoría de las granjas evaluadas tuvieron buena calificación en la integridad de piel y patas. El abordaje de componentes principales permitió la identificación de los principales factores que afectaron el bienestar de los pollos durante la primera semana de edad: calefacción, calidad de cama, enfermedad, disponibilidad de recursos, ambiente y comportamientos de motivación. Además, permitió realizar una clasificación de las granjas de acuerdo con su grado de asociación con las variables de salud.

El sector coturnicultor costarricense está en proceso de desarrollo; aún no se han documentado en la literatura aspectos productivos, económicos, de mercado o comercialización asociados al mismo. El objetivo de este trabajo es generar información sobre la comercialización y el consumo del huevo de codorniz en Costa Rica. La investigación tuvo lugar entre enero y diciembre del 2019 en la Gran Área Metropolitana costarricense. Se realizaron consultas a 14 productores con respecto al entorno comercial, a la vez que se evaluaron las pautas de consumo de huevo de codorniz en una muestra de 300 personas. La mayoría de los productores (10) se dedican a la producción exclusiva de huevo en sistemas productivos que mayoritariamente no superan las 200 aves (11), principalmente alojadas en jaulas artesanales (10), y donde el uso de registros productivos no se ha implementado (11). Se emplea esencialmente alimento para gallinas de producción(13), sin distinción de la etapa productiva del ave (11), sin un manejo reproductivo en seis de los casos o bien empleando cruces consanguíneos (5). El huevo se comercializa principalmente en empaques de 24 huevos ($2,42 por empaque) y en conservas de 200 g ($2,5). En términos de compra, la mayoría de los consumidores expresó no adquirir el huevo de codorniz (74%), siendo el consumo esporádico aún entre quienes si lo obtienen (51,4% una vez al mes). La presentación preferida de compra es el huevo fresco empacado (46,8%), que es preparado principalmente como huevo duro hervido (66,2%). La producción y consumo de huevo de codorniz en Costa Rica se encuentra poco tecnificada y diversificada lo cual concuerda con un perfil de productores pequeños y un bajo consumo.

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