Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #141092
Title: IMPACT OF COMMERCIAL PREHARVEST TRANSPORTATION AND HOLDING ON THE PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA ENTERICA IN CULL SOWS

Author
item LARSEN, S - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item MCKEAN, J - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item HURD, HOWARD
item ROSTAGNO, M - FEDERAL UNIV LAVRAS, BR
item GRIFFITH, R - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item WESLEY, IRENE

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2003
Publication Date: 7/1/2003
Citation: LARSEN, S.T., MCKEAN, J.D., HURD, H.S., ROSTAGNO, M.H., GRIFFITH, R.W., WESLEY, I.V. IMPACT OF COMMERCIAL PREHARVEST TRANSPORTATION AND HOLDING ON THE PREVALENCE OF SALMONELLA ENTERICA IN CULL SOWS. JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION. 2003. V. 66. P. 1134-1138.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of salmonella in mature sows from farm to the abattoir. Mature sows (n = 181) were sampled over 10 weeks. Fecal samples (10 g) were collected at the farm and at the live hog market. Tissue samples were collected during slaughter. The percent of positive fecal samples at the farm and the live hog market were 3% and 2%, respectively. After transport from the live hog market 41% of the sows yielded salmonella in one or more sampled tissues. Before a lactic acid carcass wash, 14% of carcasses were positive compared to 7% after the carcass wash. Two salmonella serotypes were found at the farm and the live hog market. At the abattoir, 12 unique serotypes not found at the farm or the live hog market was recovered. This study demonstrates that transport and holding practices may contribute to an increased salmonella infection prior to slaughter to levels much higher than found on farm in mature sows used for ground pork products.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in cull sows from farm to the abattoir. Cull sows (n = 181) were sampled over 10 weeks. Fecal samples (10 g) were collected at the farm ~ 24 hrs before loading and at the live hog market ~ 3 hrs before loading. Tissue samples (ileocecal lymph node, cecal contents, transverse colon contents, ventral thoracic lymph node, subiliac lymph node, sponge swabs of the left and right carcass section and chopped meat) were collected at the abattoir. The percent of positive fecal samples at the farm and the live hog market were 3% and 2%, respectively. After transport from the live hog market ~ 10 hrs and holding at the abattoir ~ 6 hrs, 41% of cull sows yielded S. enterica in one or more sampled tissues. Total cecal content isolation rates (33%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than ileocecal lymph node (7%), abattoir fecal (11%), and ventral thoracic/subiliac lymph node (2%) isolation rates. Before a 2% lactic acid carcass wash (~ 8 sec duration), 14% of carcasses were positive compared to 7% after the carcass wash (P < 0.05). Two S. enterica serotypes were found at the farm and the live hog market, Derby and Infantis. At the abattoir, 12 serotypes not found at the farm or the live hog market was recovered. This study demonstrates that transport and holding practices may contribute to an increased S. enterica infection prior to slaughter to levels much higher than found on farm.