Detection of Enterococcus faecalis as an Indicator Organism in Abattoirs´ Environment as well as Meat

Mansour, Alaa Mohammed; Nossair, Mohammad Al-Sayed; Soliman, Faten Salah; Rabah, Ibrahim; Saleh, Nehad Ahmed

doi:10.21608/mjvm.2023.283835

Detection of Enterococcus faecalis as an Indicator Organism in Abattoirs´ Environment as well as Meat

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

² Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Matrouh, Egypt

³ Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhur University, Damanhur, Egypt

10.21608/mjvm.2023.283835

Abstract

Occurrence of Enterococci as an indicator organism was investigated in 5 municipal slaughterhouses located in different provinces, Egypt. Altogether, 300 samples were taken, including slaughtered meat, water, and air samples beside swabs from floor, wall, and workers hand (50 samples/each). Statistical analytical results of Enterococci count showed that the highest mean value was recorded in the wall swabs (6.63×10³CFU/g) followed by hand swabs of workers then floor swabs then air samples then meat samples and lastly water samples. Additionally, it was recorded that the overall rate of Enterococci isolation was 12% (36 isolates); the highest rate of isolation was recorded in floor swabs (24%) followed by air samples (14%) then wall swabs and air samples (12% for each) and lastly meat samples (4%). Moreover, 20 Enterococcus faecalis isolates were biochemically identified and PCR was employed successfully to confirm the identification of E. faecalis isolates by detection of 16S rRNA specific for E. faecalis. Finally, antibiogram pattern of 20 E. faecalis isolates was investigated realizing that E. faecalis were resistant to Cefotaxime (60%), Amikacin and Linezolid (55 %), Rifampin (50%), Amoxiclav (45%) and Gentamycin and Vancomycin (40%) while it was observed that 80% of isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, molecular detection of Vancomycin resistance gene A (vanA) was performed by PCR, and it was amplified at 885 bp in 8 isolates only with percentage of 40%. Based on the recorded result, increased enterococci count in meat as well as abattoirs environment would have a clear influence on increasing the microbial load of meat so to ensure a high level of safety and lowering the carcasses contamination, HACCP program must be applied.

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