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Prevalence and serotypes of Salmonella associated with goats at two Australian abattoirs
Author(s) -
Duffy L.,
Barlow R.,
Fegan N.,
Vanderlinde P.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2008.02501.x
Subject(s) - salmonella , serotype , biology , feces , contamination , veterinary medicine , salmonella enterica , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , bacteria , medicine , ecology , genetics
Aims: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and serotype of Salmonella in goats presented for slaughter. Methods and Results: A total of 121 goats were examined for the presence of Salmonella in matching rumen, faecal and carcass samples. Samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella following the Australian Standard AS 1766.2.5‐1991. Salmonella was isolated from 56 (46·3%) faecal samples, 55 (45·5%) rumen samples and 35 (28·9%) carcass samples. The dominant serotypes isolated were Salmonella serotype Saintpaul (31%), Salmonella serotype Typhimurium (13%) and Salmonella serotype Chester (11%). Conclusions: Salmonella was isolated from at least one of the three sample sites in 68% of animals. Carcase contamination with faeces, compared with rumen liquor, is a greater hazard for Salmonella contamination of goat carcases. Goat meat is a potential source of Salmonella serovars associated with human disease. Significance and Impact of the Study: Goat carcases contaminated with Salmonella during slaughter could be a source of food‐borne disease if consumed raw or inadequately cooked, or may be a source of cross‐contamination to other foods.