Characterization and Antibiogram Pattern of Salmonella Species Isolated from Cattle Meat and Abattoirs´ Environment

Abstract

Hygienic measures in abattoir positively reflect on quality of meat. So, characterization of Salmonella species isolated from the environment of abattoirs as well as meat of slaughtered cattle was carried out in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. A total of 300 samples were collected including slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). It was observed that the highest isolation rate was obtained from hand swabs (8%) followed by meat samples (6%) then floor and wall swabs, and water samples (4% for each) while Salmonella could not be isolated from air samples. Moreover, serotyping of the recovered isolates (n=13) clarified the presence of various serotypes including S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, and S. Virchow with different rates. In addition, PCR was employed successfully for confirmation of the obtained isolates through detection of invA gene of Salmonella strains. Antibiogram pattern of the recovered Salmonella isolates (n=13) clarified that isolates were resistant to Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin (76.9%) then Vancomycin (53.8%), while it was found that 92.3% of isolates were sensitive to Gentamycin and Linezolid. Based on the recorded result, isolation of Salmonella from abattoirs environment as well as meat constitutes public hazard for consumers.