Rastreamento de Campylobacter spp. no fluxograma de abate de suínos

Abstract

The foodborne illnesses are caused by contaminated food, and in 2013 the main causative agents of these diseases were Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. In man, Campylobacter spp. causes gastrointestinal symptoms, which can vary more smoothly even more severe forms. Pigs can be carriers of microorganisms and pork products have been implicated in cases of campylobacteriosis outbreaks in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to track Campylobacter spp. in pig slaughtering flowchart to understand the behavior of these pathogens in the production line. A total of 40 pigs originating from 10 bays a farm in Rio Grande do Sul was accompanied during slaughter. Stool samples were collected in the animal's rectum immediately after stunning. Surface samples were collected after removal of the animals from scrap machine, after evisceration, before the refrigeration chamber and from jowls. Samples from the scalding tank water before and after the passage of animals were collected too. The isolates were obtained for microbiological analysis and the confirmation of species was performed by PCR. Strains bands profiles were determined by rep-PCR and compared. Of the 200 samples 19 (9.5%) were positive for Campylobacter, which are all characterized as C.coli. In these isolates, 7 (36.8%) were the rectum, 7 (36.8%) after evisceration and 5 (26.3%) before the refrigeration chamber. Through rep-PCR analysis, it was observed that the animals contaminated by C. coli in the farm may carry the micro-organism through the steps of the flowchart slaughter and the cross contamination also has an important role on the final contamination. The hygienic-sanitary management of care adopted in good manufacturing practices are key in controlling the contamination by C. coli.