Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens and Detection of Its Toxins in Meat Products in Selected Areas of West Kazakhstan

Abstract

Objectives. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Clostridium perfringens in meat products at meat fairs in four cities of West Kazakhstan from April to October 2021. Methods. In total, 240 samples were collected and subsequently examined for the presence of Clostridium perfringens and its associated toxins using a standard culture method and multiplex PCR assay. Results. In the 240 samples, 67 (30%) tested positive for Clostridium perfringens. All isolates were classified as biotype A with the ability to produce α toxin. The prevalence of Clostridium perfringens was found in almost all types of meat products tested. Beef samples 20/40 (50%) were found the most contaminated with a pathogen, followed by minced lamb 16/40 (40%), ground beef 11/40 (27.5%), lamb 9/40 (22.5%), beef intestines 7/40 (17.5%) and lamb intestines 4/40 (10%). Conclusions. The outcomes of our study demonstrated the high contamination rate of Clostridium perfringens in local meat products. This study is also the first survey on Clostridium perfringens prevalence in meats in Kazakhstan. The findings in this report will enhance knowledge of epidemiology and help develop coordinated actions to prevent and control possible food poisoning outbreaks.

Knowledge, attitude and practice related to anthrax among livestock farmers in West Kazakhstan

“…Human behaviour plays a crucial role in anthrax epidemiology (Dutta et al., 2021 ). Globally, in agricultural sector and industrial activities, human infection is mainly associated with consuming infected meat and close contact with affected animals or contaminated materials (Blackburn et al., 2021 ; Issimov et al., 2022 ; Mwakapeje et al., 2018 ; Seisenov et al., 2023 ). Additionally, socio‐cultural practices that involve slaughtering and underreporting of sick animals, consuming or handling meat from diseased animals, and improper disposal of dead carcasses have been associated with anthrax dissemination in developing countries (Islam et al., 2024 ; Zorigt et al., 2021 ).…”

In Vitro Fertilization in Kazakh Whiteheaded Cattle: A Comparative Study

“…The reduction in reproductive efficiency and productivity of dairy and beef animals has mainly been associated with the collapse of the Soviet Union, which resulted in the shutting down of breeding programs, the outflow of specialists and the emergence of transboundary diseases [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The Kazakh Whiteheaded is the main beef breed in Kazakhstan [ 6 ] and was bred in the mid-1930s, having high value traits such as disease resistance, 100% unaided calving, thermal adaptation and adaptability to thrive on poor pasture. Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle were obtained by crossing local Kazakh and Kalmyk cows with Hereford bulls in 1950 [ 7 ].…”