The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on different stages of a fresh pork production chain to reveal potential carryover from live animals to meat. Samples were collected at different stages of the production process in a large German abattoir with an integrated processing unit for fresh pork. Samples included nasal swabs from pigs at stunning, environmental samples from the slaughter line, surface samples from carcasses, environmental and meat samples from the processing unit, and samples from final products. Samples were analyzed with an established two-step selective enrichment method, and isolates were characterized with respect to their S. aureus protein A gene (spa) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec; which harbors the mecA gene) types. Contamination rate was highest (64.7%) in nasal swabs and lower (6.0%) on carcasses, meat at processing (4.2%), and final products (2.8%). Environmental samples were positive along the slaughter line (12%) but not in the processing unit. spa types t011 and t034 and SCCmec type V predominated the isolates. Heterogeneity of spa types was highest in nasal swabs. Results show that methicillin-resistant S. aureus can be identified at all stages of the production chain. Further studies are needed to identify potential control points to reduce the carryover from farm animals to the final products.
The surveillance of antimicrobial resistance among humans and food-producing animals is important to monitor the zoonotic transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). We assessed the prevalence of four MDRB within the meat production chain, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) and colistin-resistant Enterobacterales (Col-E), as well as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). In total, 505 samples from four stages of meat production, i.e., slaughterhouses, meat-processing plants, fresh food products and the urban environment, were collected in northwestern Germany in 2018/2019 and screened for the presence of MDRB using both culture-based and PCR-based techniques. We detected genes encoding for carbapenemases in 9–56% (blaOXA-48, blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM) and colistin resistance-encoding mcr genes in 9–26% of the samples from all stages. Culture-based analysis found CPE and VRE only in environmental samples (11% and 7%, respectively), but Col-E and ESBL-producers in 1–7% and 12–46% of samples from all stages, respectively. Overall, our results showed that ESBL-producers and mcr-carrying Col-E were common in food-producing animals at slaughterhouses, in meat-processing plants and in food items at retail, while CPE and VRE were only found in the environment. The discrepancy between detected carbapenemase genes and isolated CPE emphasizes the need for more sensitive detection methods for CPE monitoring.
Monitoring systems are in place to categorize pig finishing herds, abattoirs and cutting plants for their level of Salmonella contamination. In order to improve their status, if necessary, the companies and their advisors need to implement an improvement plan. This can be based on a strengths and weaknesses analysis in relation to all factors that contribute to the Salmonella contamination level. To do this analysis in a uniform, structured and repeatable way, internet based checklists were developed. In the checklist for herds questions relating to the Salmonella status of introduced piglets, transport hygiene of piglets, housing, management, cleaning and disinfection, feeding, disease status, rodent and fly control, and unloading practices are listed. Standard operating procedures (SOP's) will be available on the website for references on, for example, cleaning and disinfection, rodent and fly control, sampling and testing of weaned piglets / growers as well as hygiene checks. In the checklist for abattoirs questions relating to transport, holding area, slaughter, chilling, cleaning, disinfection and hygiene are listed. For cutting plants questions relating to the quality of received goods, chilling, cutting, packaging, transport, hygiene, documentation, and cleaning and disinfection are listed. Expert opinion is and will be gathered to weigh the different chapters and sub-questions in the checklists. The final score allows comparison to previous checks and to peers. Scores per chapter allow a ranking of most urgent points to be remedied in order to improve the Salmonella status. The internet application allows access to the checklist from any location at any time; however, pdf-documents of blank or completed checklists can be printed when desired. Logins provide sufficient privacy protection. Storage of the data in a central database provides data security. The checklists will be available in German, Dutch and English. User feedback will be used to improve all aspects of this tool continuously. IntroductionMonitoring systems are in place to categorize pig finishing herds, abattoirs and cutting plants for their level of Salmonella contamination. In order to improve their status, if necessary, the companies and their advisors need to implement an improvement plan. This can be based on a strengths and weaknesses analysis in relation to all factors that contribute to the Salmonella contamination level. To do this analysis in a uniform, structured and repeatable way, three internet based checklists were developed. One checklist is intended for the use on finishing farms. The other two are intended for abattoirs and cutting plants respectively.
The aim of this study was to support a risk assessment of MRSA-isolates from swine using a diagnostic DNA-microarray to detect virulence-, toxin-and resistance related genes. In comparison with other species like poultry, cattle and humans there were only few isolates with virulence genes.
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