Abstract :
[en] Aims: To compare the Belgian swabbing sampling method for pig carcasses
with the reference destructive method with regard to Escherichia coli and
aerobic plate counts, Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalence and their
relationship.
Methods and Results: Recovery was significantly lower for the swabbing
method and corresponded to a recovery of 36% for E. coli counts and 81% for
aerobic plate counts in comparison with the destructive method. There was no
significant difference between the swabbing and destructive sampling methods
for the prevalence of Salmonella or Campylobacter. A higher median for E. coli
counts was detected for samples where Salmonella or Campylobacter were
detected. The same association was also observed between the median for aerobic
plate counts and the presence of Campylobacter.
Conclusions: The method of swabbing used, covering 600 cm2 on each half-pig
carcass, is efficient for the sampling of pig carcasses in comparison with the
reference destructive method.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This study describes an efficient method
for microbiological pig carcass sampling. The Belgian swabbing method should
continue to be used to allow the follow up of bacterial contamination in the
Belgian meat production chain.
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