Detection of hepatitis e virus (HEV) antibiodies in swine herds in Québec, Canada

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has a zoonotic potential and pork products have been identified as possible human infection sources. Swine HEV infection in pigs have now been reported in pigs in many countries and generally occurs at about 2-3 months of age. Data from USA indicated that about 80-100% of pigs in commercial farms are infected. The objective of this study was to estimate prevalence of HEV in selected Canadian herds by serology using the PrioCHECK HEV Ab porcine-ELISA kit

Development and implementation of a HACCP-based on farm quality assurance program for swine in Canada

A generic HACCP model was developed for farrow to finish operation by a technical committee composed of veterinarians, agronomists, producers and technical advisors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada. Good production practices were developed based on the hazards identified in the generic model. Following validation by expens and pilot projects, the end product, the CQA ™, was launched in spring 1998 and is gradually implemented in the production since then

Sampling of environment and carcasses for the detection of Salmonella in swine abattoirs

The understanding of the epidemiology of Salmonella in slaughterhouses is a prerequisite for the establishment of control measures. In this study, 2841 samples were taken from the environment (before and during the operations), fecal material of incoming animals, different steps during the slaughter process and from carcasses to detect the presence of Salmonella in 4 abattoirs in the province of Quebec. Samples were processed using conventional enrichment and culture procedures and positive isolates were serotyped. Salmonella were found in 4.0% of the environment samples, including gloves and aprons. Despite an exceptionally high isolation rate of 21.3% in feces, probably the reflect of many clinical outbreaks of S. Typhimurium in the field, the percentage of positive isolates recovered from carcasses was 6.3%

Prevalence of Salmonella spp in finishing swine in Canada

Meat and meat products play a major role in the transmission of some zoonotic diseases. Carriers animals are an important component in the epidemiology of Salmonella. These animals shed Salmonella and may contribute to contaminate environment, instruments and eventually meat in abattoirs. Given the failure of post-harvest measures to control these pathogens, efforts are now being made to control microbial pathogens at the farm-level. Nevertheless, evaluating farm-level control options requires knowledge of basic data such as prevalence and distribution of pathogens in animals and herds. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in finishing swine at slaugtherhouses in Canada and to evaluate the distribution of this pathogen among different herds

Assessment of the efficiency of ozonated water as bacterial contamination reduction tool in a pork cutting plant

The food industry is constantly searching for new tools to reduce bacterial contamination in the plants. In this study we assessed the efficiency of ozonated water as a tool to improve reduction of residual bacterial contamination in a pork cutting plant as a complement of sanitation procedures. First, the effectiveness of the ozonated water was tested on conveyors to reduce residual Salmonella, coliforms and aerobic flora load

Evaluation of ozonated water as a microbiological risk mitigation option in pork production

Ozone is an oxidative moleculewith a bactericidal effect. This molecule can be solubilized in water and was proposed as an alternative disinfecting solution to be used in food production plants. Ozone molecule possesses many industrially relevant characteristics, such as the absence of residues following its application, usability at meat industries’ room temperature, and applicability during production activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of an ozonated water rinse on the wrapping of meat logs at the entrance of a slicing plant

Control of salmonella in swine by use of probiotics

Control of Salmonella on the farm is currently undertaken by changes in management protocols or by use of live attenuated vaccines (Roof et al., 1992; Kramer et al., 1992). Although these vaccines are efficacious in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with salmonellosis, carrier animals are still evident within the population. While the carrier state has been defined for S. typhimurium and S. choleraesuis under experimental conditions (Wood et al., 1989; Fedorka-Cray et al., 1994; Gray et al., 1995, 1996a, 1996b), little is known about the exact modes of transmission and maintenance of the disease in swine herds

Data on distribution and characterization of Listeria monocytogenes strains in a pork slaughter and cutting plant in Quebec support an earlier surveillance in the meat production chain

Listeria monocytogenes is a major public health concern. It has been associated with highly mediatised outbreaks. It was the case in 2008, when an important episode (23 deaths) in Canada showed the need to reinforce the policies to better control Listeria in ready-to-eat products. Improved surveillance in the production plants environment increased the detection levels and represents a challenge for both industries and control agencies

Risk factors associated with the presence of Salmonella in swine herds in Quebec

Based on the generic HACCP plan for swine production developed by the Canadian Pork Council, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and provincial authorities, a questionnaire was developed to evaluate the relationship between the application of good production practices and the presence of Salmonella in swine herds. Seventy eight finishing units were sampled (n=l5) at 2 different occasions to detect the presence of Salmonella in fecal material and in the environment. Each producer was asked to answer 20 questions and their answers were validated by a veterinarian during the herd sampling. Salmonella was found in 16 out of 28 herds. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the use of multiple sources for the purchase of incoming animals was correlated with the presence of salmonella in herds. Reduction of the number of sources for incoming animals should thus be considered in order to reduce the risk of acquiring Salmonella in swine herds

Host response to different treatments to reduce Salmonella infections in swine

Host-response was evaluated following the administration of various treatments to reduce Salmonella in swine. Response to the treatments were studied by the evaluation of phagocytosis rates by flow cytometry, activation of whole blood phagocytes by bioluminescence and production of immunoglubulins A against S. Typhimurium. Results were analyzed by ANOVA and significant differences were observed in the activation of whole blood phagocytes in all groups of treated pigs in comparison to control pigs (p:0.0001). In SC54lMvaccinated pigs, reduction of Salmonella in mesenteric lymphatic nodes was observed and production of inununoglobulins A against S. Typhimurium was higher in this group in comparison to uninfected (p:0.0007) and other groups. Taken together, these findings suggest that SC54lM vaccine can stimulate local immunity and reduce carriage of Salmonella in pigs. Use of SC54TM vaccine should thus be considered in further field experiments in order to increase the host resistance to this infection