Characterization of microbial ecology, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella sp. on equipment and utensil surfaces in Brazilian poultry, pork, and dairy industries.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of counting by indicator microorganisms, identify the microbial ecology, detect Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella sp., and determine the presence of virulence genes and biofilm formation. A total of 480 samples were collected from the surfaces of the equipment and utensils using sterile swabs for the detection of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella sp. and counting mesophilic aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas sp. The microbial ecology was evaluated by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Genes for virulence and biofilm formation were analyzed and adhesion capacity was evaluated for L. monocytogenes and Salmonella sp. The mesophilic aerobe count was the highest in the dairy processing facility, followed by the pork and poultry slaughterhouses. L. monocytogenes was detected in all facilities, with the highest detection in the pork slaughterhouse, followed by the poultry and dairy facilities. Salmonella sp. was only detected in the dairy. Isolates of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella sp. showed poor adhesion to polystyrene surfaces, virulence genes, and biofilm formation. The frequent contaminants in the slaughterhouses were Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Aeromonas in poultry, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Brevundimonas in pork, and Pseudomonas, Kocuria, and Staphylococcus in dairy. Our results provide useful information to understand the microbiological risks associated with contamination.

Effect of ginger essential oil and 6-gingerol on a multispecies biofilm of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect of ginger essential oil (GEO) and 6-gingerol on a multispecies biofilm formed by Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on a polypropylene surface. The minimum inhibitory concentration concentrations obtained for GEO were 100 and 50 mg/mL and for 6-gingerol 1.25 mg/mL. Sessile cell counts ranged within 5.35-7.35 log CFU/cm2 in the control biofilm, with the highest sessile growth at 72 h. GEO treatments acted on the total population regardless of concentration at 1 and 48 h. L. monocytogenes behaved similarly to the total population, showing GEO action at 1 h and keeping the same pattern at 48, 72, and 96 h. Better action on S. Typhimurium was obtained at times of 1, 72, and 96 h. P. aeruginosa showed logarithmic reduction only when treated with GEO 50 mg at 24 h. As for 6-gingerol, in general, there was no significant action (p > 0.05) on the evaluated sessile cells. GEO showed antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, S. Typhimurium, and P. aeruginosa, acting as an inhibitor of biofilm formation. As for 6-gingerol, it was considered a possible antimicrobial agent but without efficacy during biofilm formation.

Detection of adenovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis E virus in meat cuts marketed in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of adenovirus (AdV), rotavirus (RV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in beef, pork, and chicken meat cuts in retail trade in the city of Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. A total of 131 meat products were collected (beef, n = 55; chicken, n = 47; pork, n = 29) from 18 commercial establishments (supermarkets, n = 7; butchers, n = 7; markets/grocery stores, n = 4). All samples were evaluated for AdV, RV, and HEV. The genomes of RV and AdV were identified in 29% (n = 38) and 5.34% (n = 7) of the samples, respectively. HEV was not identified in any of the samples. Chicken cuts had a higher frequency of AdV and RV isolates compared to beef and pork (P < 0.05). Among the categories of commercial establishments evaluated, all revealed at least one positive sample for AdV and RV; however, supermarkets showed a higher frequency of RV than others (P < 0.05). The genetic material of AdV and RV was identified simultaneously in 2.29% (n = 3) of samples from supermarkets (n = 2) and grocery stores (n = 1). This is the first report on detection of enteric viruses in meat cuts in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and the presence of AdV and RV in these products may indicate flaws during the process of handling these foods, especially in places where commercialization provides important public health issues.

Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Animal Products Commercialized in the Border Region of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

ABSTRACT: The traffic in international animal products can become a public health hazard when legal import sanitary procedures are not followed. In Brazil, due to its extensive border area, the importation of animal products is a common practice in many areas, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, a state that borders Argentina and Uruguay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of veterinary drug residues (antibiotics and antiparasitics) in animal products consumed in Rio Grande do Sul. The presence of residues of veterinary antibiotics and antiparasitics was assessed in 189 meat (beef, pork, and chicken), processed dairy, and meat product samples bought in Argentina (n = 90) and Uruguay (n = 99). Residues of these veterinary drugs were detected in 50 (26.45%) of the samples; 28 samples (14.81%) had antibiotic residues, and 22 samples (11.64%) had antiparasitic residues. Of the 50 positive samples, 40% (15 from Argentina and 5 from Uruguay) had residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Of these 20 samples, 12 had antiparasitic residues above the MRLs (11 beef samples had ivermectin and 1 pork sample had ivermectin and doramectin) and 8 had antibiotic residues above the MRLs (2 pork and 2 sausage samples had doxycycline, 2 cheese samples had doxycycline and chlortetracycline, 1 poultry meat sample had chloramphenicol, and 1 cheese sample had monensin). Because of the potential toxic effects on humans and the potential for pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance, the presence of these residues above the MRLs is a potential risk to public health. The negative impact of consumption of imported animal products can be reduced by implementation of an effective surveillance system and educational campaigns for the general population.

Presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in lamb meat commercialized in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary quality of lamb meat sold in the city of Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) by counting the indicator microorganisms and detecting pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Thirty-nine lamb meat samples were collected from 10 commercial establishments in Uruguaiana. The samples were subjected to counts of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and enterobacteria, and to the detection of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, all following standard methods. The average counts of mesophilic microorganisms and enterobacteria were 6.08 log CFU/g (minimum 4.07 and max 6.87) and 4.73 log CFU/g (minimum 0 and max 5.88), respectively. For pathogens, L. monocytogenes was isolated from five samples (12.82%), with three samples in the same location. Only two samples (5.13%) were positive for Salmonella spp. The results demonstrated unsatisfactory hygienic-sanitary conditions because high counts of pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes. The counts of enterobacteria showed poor hygiene conditions during the various stages of production. The results also indicated fecal contamination, as Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes are present in the intestinal tract of both humans and animals. The high count of mesophilic microorganisms obtained could be owing to contaminated raw material or unsatisfactory processing, including unsanitary conditions and the inappropriate use of binomial time/temperature during storage.

O objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária da carne de cordeiro comercializada na cidade de Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) através da contagem dos microrganismos indicadores e detecção de patógenos como Salmonella spp. e Listeria monocytogenes. Trinta e nove amostras de carne de cordeiro foram coletadas em 10 estabelecimentos comerciais em Uruguaiana. As amostras foram submetidas a contagens de microrganismos aeróbios mesofilos e enterobactérias e à detecção de Salmonella spp. e L. monocytogenes, todas seguindo metodologias padrão. As contagens médias de microrganismos mesófilos e enterobactérias foram 6,08 log UFC/g (mínimo 4,07 e máximo 6,87) e 4,73 log UFC/g (mínimo 0 e máximo 5,88), respectivamente. Para os patógenos, L. monocytogenes foi isolado de cinco amostras (12,82%), com três amostras no mesmo local. Apenas duas (5,13%) foram positivas para Salmonella spp. Os resultados demonstraram condições higiênico-sanitárias insatisfatórias, baseado nas altas contagens de patógenos como Salmonella spp. e L. monocytogenes. As contagens de enterobactérias indicaram más condições de higiene durante as várias etapas de produção. Os resultados também indicaram contaminação fecal, uma vez que Salmonella spp. e L. monocytogenes estão presentes no trato intestinal de humanos e animais. A alta contagem de microrganismos mesófilos obtidos pode ser devida a matéria-prima contaminada ou processamento insatisfatório, incluindo condições insalubres e uso inadequado do binômio tempo/temperatura durante o armazenamento.

Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis E Virus, and Rotavirus in Foods of Animal Origin Traded at the Borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

The aim of this study was to investigate hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E (HEV), and rotavirus (RV) in fresh and processed meat traded on the border of Brazil with Argentina and Uruguay. In total, 159 samples of raw and processed foods of animal origin were collected in Paso de los Libres, Argentina (n = 53 raw meat, n = 24 processed meat) and Rivera, Uruguay (n = 55 raw meat, n = 18 processed meat), or were seized by the Brazilian International Agricultural Surveillance System-VIGIAGRO (Brazil-Argentina border) (n = 8 raw meat, n = 1 bush meat). All samples were tested for the presence of HAV, HEV, and RV genomes. HAV genes were detected in 18.23% of samples and RV genes in 23.89%. No HEV-positive samples were detected. HAV was also detected in two of the VIGIAGRO samples. Processed meats from Argentina and Uruguay had a higher rate of HAV and RV than raw meat (P > 0.05). The median HAV in the Argentinian and Uruguayan samples was 6.9 × 104 and 3.5 × 103 copies/g, respectively. The presence of RV viral genes in raw meats from Argentina was significant, and this was not observed in processed meats. The presence of HAV and RV genes in a significant portion of products from Argentina and Uruguay is a potential source of human infection. This also indicates precarious conditions of acquisition, processing, and manipulation, which could be improved by improved regulation of food across borders.

Foods introduced into Brazil through the border with Argentina and Uruguay: Pathogen detection and evaluation of hygienic-sanitary quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of pathogens in, and the hygienic-sanitary quality of, commercialized foods of animal origin at the international border region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In total, 270 samples of raw and processed foods of animal origin were collected in Paso de los Libres, Argentina (n = 65 raw meat, n = 47 dairy products, n = 28 processed meat) and Rivera, Uruguay (n = 60 raw meat, n = 31 dairy products, n = 29 processed meat), or were seized by the Brazilian International Agricultural Surveillance System (Brazil-Argentina border) (n = 9 raw meat, n = 1 bush meat). The samples were subjected to the enumeration of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, enterobacteria, and coagulase-positive staphylococci, and were tested for Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The virulence genes for Salmonella spp. (hilA, invA, spvC, pefA, and sefA), L. monocytogenes (prs, inlA, inlC, and inlJ) and E. coli O157:H7 (uspA, eae, rfbO157, fliCH7, stx1, stx2, and hlyA) were investigated using PCR assays. Raw products showed higher counts of aerobic mesophiles and enterobacteria compared to processed products (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in aerobic mesophile or in enterobacterial counts between identical products according to origin (Argentina vs. Uruguay, P > 0.05). Escherichia coli O157:H7 was not detected in any of the samples tested. Salmonella spp. was detected in six (8%) raw products from Argentina. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from five (6.66%) raw products originating in Argentina and 20 (16.66%) raw products from Uruguay. All 52 E. coli isolates carried the uspA gene, but only one carried the eae gene. The rfbO157, fliCH7, stx1, stx2, and hlyA genes were not detected. All Salmonella spp. isolates carried hilA and invA genes, but spvC, pefA, and sefA were not found. All L. monocytogenes isolates carried the prs gene; however, inlA, inlC, and inlJ genes were found in 20% of the isolates from Argentina and 95% of those from Uruguay. To our knowledge, this is the first microbiological study into the hygienic-sanitary quality of animal products in Brazil's land border region. Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were detected in products of animal origin, constituting a public health concern and emphasizing the need for an active surveillance system to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen introduction into Brazil.