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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Meat Safety and Quality » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #304549
Title: Prevalence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella in camel, cattle, goat and sheep harvested for meat in Riyadh

Author
item Bosilevac, Joseph - Mick
item GASSEM, MUSTAFA - King Saud University
item AL SHEDDY, IBRAHEEM - King Saud University
item ALMAIMAN, SALAH - King Saud University
item AL-MOHIZEA, IBRAHIM - King Saud University
item ALOWAIMER, ABDULLAH - King Saud University
item KOOHMARAIE, MOHAMMAD - Institute Of Environmental Health Laboratories And Consulting Group

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/24/2014
Publication Date: 1/5/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/60657
Citation: Bosilevac, J.M., Gassem, M.A., Al Sheddy, I.A., Almaiman, S.A., Al-Mohizea, I., Alowaimer, A., Koohmaraie, M. 2015. Prevalence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella in camel, cattle, goat and sheep harvested for meat in Riyadh. Journal of Food Protection. 78(1):89-96.

Interpretive Summary: Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are significant foodborne pathogens that can be found in the feces and on the hides of meat animals. When hides are removed during the harvest process, the carcass and subsequent meat products can become contaminated. Camels, cattle, sheep and goats are harvested for meat in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are unknown in these animals, and it is assumed that if the animals carry the pathogens in their feces or on their hides, meat products are likely to become contaminated. To this end, 206 samples each from hides and feces of camels, cattle, goats and sheep were collected over the course of eight months and tested for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. It was found that E. coli O157:H7 was present in feces (10.7%, 1.4%, 2.4% and 2.4%) and on hides (17.9%, 8.2%, 2.9% and 9.2%) of cattle, goat, camel and sheep, respectively. The prevalence of Salmonella was 11.2%, 13.5%, 23.2% and 18.8% in feces and 80.2%, 51.2% 67.6% and 60.2% on hides of cattle, goat, camel and sheep, respectively. The prevalence of E coli O157:H7 was nearly zero in all samples collected in June and July, while Salmonella did not exhibit any seasonal variation. These results constitute the first comprehensive study of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in Saudi Arabian meat animals at harvest.

Technical Abstract: Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are significant foodborne pathogens that can be found in the feces and on the hides of meat animals. When hides are removed during the harvest process, the carcass and subsequent meat products can become contaminated. Camels, cattle, sheep and goats are harvested for meat in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are unknown in these animals, and it is assumed that if the animals carry the pathogens in their feces or on their hides, meat products are likely to become contaminated. To this end, 206 samples each from hides and feces of camels, cattle, goats and sheep were collected over the course of eight months and tested for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. It was found that E. coli O157:H7 was present in feces (10.7%, 1.4%, 2.4% and 2.4%) and on hides (17.9%, 8.2%, 2.9% and 9.2%) of cattle, goat, camel and sheep, respectively. The prevalence of Salmonella was 11.2%, 13.5%, 23.2% and 18.8% in feces and 80.2%, 51.2% 67.6% and 60.2% on hides of cattle, goat, camel and sheep, respectively. The prevalence of E coli O157:H7 was nearly zero in all samples collected in June and July, while Salmonella did not exhibit any seasonal variation. These results constitute the first comprehensive study of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in Saudi Arabian meat animals at harvest.