Sources of bacterial contamination in slaughterhouses with special reference to the methods of their control

Abstract

A swab samples were collected from different suspected sources of bacterial contamination in El-Monieb slaughterhouse in Giza Governorate. The results showed that out of the 345 samples, S. aureus was detected in 40.6%. The mean count between the different sources of contamination was 4.9 ± 1.5 log10 CFU/ cm2. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed that all isolates of S. aureus have antimicrobial resistance. By PCR amplification, mecA was detected confirming the isolation of methicillin resistant S. aureus in percentage 13%. E. faecalis were isolated by 35.4% with an average mean count 5.73 ± 1.7 log10 CFU/ cm2. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed that all isolates were also resistant. The vanA gene was detected confirming the isolation of vancomycin resistant E. faecalis in 21.3%. Salmonella was isolated in 1.4%. There were different sources of contamination in the slaughterhouse before, during and after the slaughtering process which could threaten public health and play a potential role in food safety. Different disinfectants were tested by spraying method to decrease the bacterial load on the surface of the utensils used in slaughtering, floor and walls inside the slaughterhouse. H2O2 plus peracetic acid was found to be the most effective disinfectant. Key words: bacterial contamination - slaughterhouses – control of bacterial contamination in slaughterhouses – MRSA – VRE – Salmonella – mecA – vanA – invA – relative risk - disinfectants - H2O2 plus peracetic acid – CO2 dry ice under pressure