THE PREVALENCE OF E. COLI O157/O157:H7, L. MONOCYTOGENES AND SALMONELLA SPP. ON BOVINE CARCASSES IN TURKEY

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli, O157, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. are important foodborne pathogens, that some studies have demonstrated that cattle are a major reservoir of these pathogens. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of E. coli O157/O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. on slaughtered bovine carcasses. In this study, five abattoirs in Afyonkarahisar were visited between March and August in 2005 in the center of Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey. A total of 250 bovine carcasses were sampled by surface swabbing the carcasses at four points. The presence of E. coli O157/O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in the samples collected from 250 cattle was determined with the application of the immunomagnetic separation method. Overall, the prevalence of E. coli O157/O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. was 3.2, 0.8, 6.8 and 10%, respectively. Our results demonstrated that bovine carcasses can also be a source for E. coli O157/O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. infections for humans. The widespread occurrence of these pathogens in slaughterhouses reinforces the need for the implementation of effective control measures.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study indicates that relatively high values, particularly Salmonella spp., and widespread occurrence of these pathogens in bovine carcasses require the need for the implementation of effective public health measures.