The Impact of an Extended Bleed-to-evisceration Interval on the Microbiological Quality of On-farm Slaughtered Cattle Carcasses.

The uncertainties surrounding the microbiological risks of an extended exsanguination-to-evisceration interval have limited the implementation of on-farm slaughter in Europe. On-farm slaughter is increasingly advocated by farmers, consumers, and policymakers as a humane alternative to traditional slaughterhouse operations. However, concerns about hygiene and food safety, particularly bacterial contamination, have led to stringent time limits imposed by Member States on the interval between bleeding and evisceration.

Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene profile of strains shared between food and other sources in Africa: A systematic review.

Background And Aim: Foodborne diseases caused by are prevalent globally. Treatment is challenging due to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, except for foodborne infections due to Shiga toxin-producing , for which treatment is symptomatic. Several studies have been conducted in Africa on antibiotic resistance of isolated from several sources.

Hygiene practices of food of animal origin operators in primary schools in the Mono Department of Benin. A cross-sectional study.

Food of animal origin is an important source of proteins for human beings. However, they are subject to microbial contamination. It is essential to ensure the safety of food products intended for school children regarding their vulnerability to food poisoning.

O80 in Healthy Cattle: Absence of Shigatoxigenic and Enteropathogenic O80:H2 and (Phylo) Genomics of Non-Clonal Complex 165 O80.

The origin of human and calf infections by Shigatoxigenic (STEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) O80:H2 is still unknown. The aim of this study was to identify O80 in healthy cattle with an emphasis on melibiose non-fermenting O80:H2. Faecal materials collected from 149 bulls at 1 slaughterhouse and 194 cows on 9 farms were tested with O80 antigen-encoding gene PCR after overnight growth in enrichment broths.

Identification of Five Serotypes of Enteropathogenic from Diarrheic Calves and Healthy Cattle in Belgium and Comparative Genomics with Shigatoxigenic .

Enteropathogenic (EPEC) produce attaching/effacing (AE) lesions and cause non-bloody diarrhea in mammals. A minority of bovine EPEC belong to one of the ten classical serotypes of human and bovine AE-STEC. The purpose of this study was to identify five non-classical O serotypes (O123/186, O156, O177, O182, and O183) among bovine EPEC and to characterize their virulence repertoires by whole genome sequencing.

Modeling the Growth and Interaction Between , spp., and in Minced Pork Samples.

The aim of this study was to obtain the growth parameters of specific spoilage micro-organisms previously isolated in minced pork (MP) samples and to develop a three-spoilage species interaction model under different storage conditions. Naturally contaminated samples were used to validate this approach by considering the effect of the food microbiota. Three groups of bacteria were inoculated on irradiated samples, in mono- and in co-culture experiments ( = 1152): , , and spp.

Large-scale multivariate dataset on the characterization of microbiota diversity, microbial growth dynamics, metabolic spoilage volatilome and sensorial profiles of two industrially produced meat products subjected to changes in lactate concentration and packaging atmosphere.

Data in this article provide detailed information on the diversity of bacterial communities present on 576 samples of raw pork or poultry sausages produced industrially in 2017. Bacterial growth dynamics and diversity were monitored throughout the refrigerated storage period to estimate the impact of packaging atmosphere and the use of potassium lactate as chemical preservative. The data include several types of analysis aiming at providing a comprehensive microbial ecology of spoilage during storage and how the process parameters do influence this phenomenon.

Survey on the presence of antibiotic residues in raw milk samples from six sites of the dairy pool of Niamey, Niger.

Background And Aim: Antibiotics are widely used in animal production for treating the diseases and for preventing or increasing animal growth. The presence of antibiotic residues in milk is a public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the use of antibiotic residues in raw milk from the dairy pool of Niamey in three farms (Toukounous, Kirkissoye, and Niamey) and three collection centers (Hamdallaye, Kollo, and Say).

Assessment of Spoilage Bacterial Communities in Food Wrap and Modified Atmospheres-Packed Minced Pork Meat Samples by 16S rDNA Metagenetic Analysis.

Although several studies have focused on the dynamics of bacterial food community, little is known about the variability of batch production and microbial changes that occur during storage. The aim of the study was to characterize the microbial spoilage community of minced pork meat samples, among different food production and storage, using both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and classical microbiology. Three batches of samples were obtained from four local Belgian facilities (A-D) and stored until shelf life under food wrap (FW) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, CO 30%/O 70%), at constant and dynamic temperature.

Observations as a way to assess the compliance of veterinary students with biosecurity procedures.

In veterinary medicine, biosecurity relies on the implementation and respect of procedures that reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of pathogens. The main objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of observations in estimating the compliance of veterinary students with biosecurity measures implemented in the necropsy room of a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (n = 122 observations) and in a private slaughterhouse (n = 56 observations) in Belgium, during day sessions of practical work. Checklists compiling the biosecurity rules to apply in both contexts were established (31 rules were considered for the necropsy room and 35 for the slaughterhouse).

Low prevalence of the 'gang of seven' and absence of the O80:H2 serotypes among Shigatoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (STEC and EPEC) in intestinal contents of healthy cattle at two slaughterhouses in Belgium in 2014.

Aims: The purpose of this survey was to estimate the respective prevalence of the 'gang of seven' and 'non-gang of seven' serotypes of Shigatoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and to identify the O80:H2 serotype in 245 intestinal contents collected at two slaughterhouses in Belgium in 2014.

Methods And Results: After overnight enrichment growth, the 69 intestinal contents testing positive with PCR targeting the eae, stx1 and stx2 genes were inoculated onto four agar media. Of the 2542 colonies picked up, 677 from 59 samples were PCR confirmed.

Meat retail conditions within the establishments of Kigali city (Rwanda): bacteriological quality and risk factors for Salmonella occurrence.

Meat constitutes one of the major vehicles for human foodborne infections. This study aimed to assess the retail conditions and to determine the microbiological quality and safety of meat retailed within the establishments of Kigali (Rwanda). A questionnaire survey was carried out in 150 retail outlets to characterise meat retail conditions.

Clostridium difficile in beef cattle farms, farmers and their environment: Assessing the spread of the bacterium.

In recent years, several studies have described the presence of Clostridium difficile in healthy and diarrhoeic farm and domestic animals. In pigs and cattle, the isolation of some PCR-ribotypes associated with human infection, especially PCR-ribotypes 014 and 078, has led us to hypothesize about the zoonotic transmission of C. difficile infections.

Assessment of bacterial superficial contamination in classical or ritually slaughtered cattle using metagenetics and microbiological analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the slaughter technique (Halal vs Classical slaughter) on the superficial contamination of cattle carcasses, by using traditional microbiological procedures and 16S rDNA metagenetics. The purpose was also to investigate the neck area to identify bacteria originating from the digestive or the respiratory tract. Twenty bovine carcasses (10 from each group) were swabbed at the slaughterhouse, where both slaughtering methods are practiced.

The use of 16S rRNA gene metagenetic monitoring of refrigerated food products for understanding the kinetics of microbial subpopulations at different storage temperatures: the example of white pudding.

In order to control food losses and wastage, monitoring the microbial diversity of food products, during processing and storage is important, as studies have highlighted the metabolic activities of some microorganisms which can lead to spoilage. Knowledge of this diversity can be greatly improved by using a metagenetic approach based on high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which enables a much higher resolution than culture-based methods. Moreover, the Jameson effect, a phenomenon described by Jameson in 1962, is often used to classify bacterial strains within an ecosystem.

Longitudinal survey of Clostridium difficile presence and gut microbiota composition in a Belgian nursing home.

Background: Increasing age, several co-morbidities, environmental contamination, antibiotic exposure and other intestinal perturbations appear to be the greatest risk factors for C. difficile infection (CDI). Therefore, elderly care home residents are considered particularly vulnerable to the infection.

Laboratory identification of anaerobic bacteria isolated on Clostridium difficile selective medium.

Despite increasing interest in the bacterium, the methodology for Clostridium difficile recovery has not yet been standardized. Cycloserine-cefoxitin fructose taurocholate (CCFT) has historically been the most used medium for C. difficile isolation from human, animal, environmental, and food samples, and presumptive identification is usually based on colony morphologies.

Exploring the Bacterial Diversity of Belgian Steak Tartare Using Metagenetics and Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis.

Steak tartare is a popular meat dish in Belgium. It is prepared with raw minced beef and is eaten with sauce, vegetables, and spices. Because it contains raw meat, steak tartare is highly prone to bacterial spoilage.

Short communication: Evaluation of the microbiota of kefir samples using metagenetic analysis targeting the 16S and 26S ribosomal DNA fragments.

Milk kefir is produced by fermenting milk in the presence of kefir grains. This beverage has several benefits for human health. The aim of this experiment was to analyze 5 kefir grains (and their products) using a targeted metagenetic approach.

Clostridium difficile from food and surface samples in a Belgian nursing home: an unlikely source of contamination.

This study investigates the contamination of foods and surfaces with Clostridium difficile in a single nursing home. C. difficile PCR-ribotype 078 was found in one food sample and in none of the tested surfaces.

Clostridium difficile infection in elderly nursing home residents.

Age-related changes in intestinal flora and host defences, the receipt of antibiotic treatment, and the presence of underlying diseases are some of the most common risk factors associated with Clostridium difficile infection. Therefore, retirement care facilities for elderly people have been pinpointed as frequent sources of contamination. There is only limited data regarding the presence and epidemiology of C.

Microbiota characterization of a Belgian protected designation of origin cheese, Herve cheese, using metagenomic analysis.

Herve cheese is a Belgian soft cheese with a washed rind, and is made from raw or pasteurized milk. The specific microbiota of this cheese has never previously been fully explored and the use of raw or pasteurized milk in addition to starters is assumed to affect the microbiota of the rind and the heart. The aim of the study was to analyze the bacterial microbiota of Herve cheese using classical microbiology and a metagenomic approach based on 16S ribosomal DNA pyrosequencing.

Retrospective analysis of a listeria monocytogenes contamination episode in raw milk goat cheese using quantitative microbial risk assessment tools.

In 2005, the Belgian authorities reported a Listeria monocytogenes contamination episode in cheese made from raw goat's milk. The presence of an asymptomatic shedder goat in the herd caused this contamination. On the basis of data collected at the time of the episode, a retrospective study was performed using an exposure assessment model covering the production chain from the milking of goats up to delivery of cheese to the market.

Assessing interventions by quantitative risk assessment tools to reduce the risk of human salmonellosis from fresh minced pork meat in Belgium.

The risk of human salmonellosis through the consumption of minced pork meat in Belgium was assessed via a modular risk model covering pork meat production from lairage to human consumption. The main goal of the model was to give concrete options to reduce effectively the risk of human salmonellosis through the consumption of minced pork meat. These options (scenarios) were elaborated with reference to the international situation and the literature to give concrete and realistic possibilities for improving the microbiological quality of pork meat and to reduce the number of human salmonellosis cases per year in Belgium.

Salmonella surveillance and control at post-harvest in the Belgian pork meat chain.

Salmonella remains the primary cause of reported bacterial food borne disease outbreaks in Belgium. Pork and pork products are recognized as one of the major sources of human salmonellosis. In contrast with the primary production and slaughterhouse phases of the pork meat production chain, only a few studies have focussed on the post-harvest stages.