Parasitosis in Pet Dogs from Rondônia, Amazon Biome, and Human Perception of Zoonoses.

Zoonotic parasitic diseases in dogs are particularly concerning in regions with low human development indices due to inadequate sanitary services and insufficient environmental and health education. This study aimed to assess the parasitological status of dogs living in households and evaluate their owners' knowledge about zoonoses. A total of 183 dogs from Rolim de Moura, Rondônia State, were screened for the presence of ectoparasites, and 163 fecal samples were collected for analysis. The results showed that 74.23% (112/163) of the animals had at least one species of endoparasite. The most identified pathogens were Ancylostoma spp. (68.71%, 112/163), Trichuris vulpis (11.66%, 19/163), Toxocara canis (6.75%, 11/163), Cystoisospora canis (4.91%, 8/163), Dipylidium caninum (1.23%, 2/163), and Hammondia/Neospora (0.61%, 1/163). Ectoparasites were observed in 43.17% (79/183) of the evaluated animals, with Rhipicephalus sanguineus found in 31.15% (57/183) and Ctenocephalides felis felis in 20.77% (38/183). Only 11.48% (7/61) of the owners were familiar with the term "Zoonoses." However, a significant majority (83.61%, 51/61) believed that dogs can transmit diseases to humans. Our findings highlight the prevalence of parasites in the studied area and associated risk factors, underscoring the urgent need for educational interventions to raise awareness about these diseases and their risks to human health.

Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks from Brazil, with evidence of putative new genotypes of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and haemoplasmas.

The present study aimed to investigate, by molecular techniques, the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae, Bartonellaceae, Rickettsiaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Coxiellaceae, and Babesiidae/Theileriidae agents in blood samples of free-living wild boars (Sus scrofa) and associated ticks in south-eastern Brazil. For this purpose, 67 blood samples and 265 ticks (264 Amblyomma sculptum and one Amblyomma ovale) were analysed. In the screening for Anaplasmataceae agents by a PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene, 5.97% blood samples and 50.54% ticks were positive. In the PCR assay for Ehrlichia spp. based on the dsb gene, 9.24% of ticks were positive. Despite the low occurrence, a possible new 16S rRNA genotype of Anaplasma sp. was detected in a wild boar's blood sample. According to phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA, gltA, and sodB genes and ITS (23S-5S rRNA) intergenic region, it was found that A. sculptum and A. ovale ticks collected from wild boars carry Ehrlichia genotypes phylogenetically associated with Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ruminantium, and new Ehrlichia genotypes previously detected in horses, peccaries, and ticks collected from jaguars. In the screening for haemoplasmas by a qPCR based on the 16S rRNA gene, 88.06% of blood samples and 8.69% of ticks were positive. Mycoplasma suis, Mycoplasma parvum, and a possible new haemoplasma genotype were detected in wild boars in south-eastern Brazil. In the screening for Bartonella spp. using a nuoG-based qPCR assay, 3.8% of tick samples were positive. Phylogenetic inferences positioned four nuoG and one r gltA Bartonella sequences into the same clade as Bartonella machadoae. No blood or tick samples from wild boars showed to be positive in the qPCR for Coxiella burnetii based on the IS1111 gene. On the other hand, only 1.6% of ticks were positive in the nested PCR assay for piroplasmids based on the 18S rRNA gene. A 18S rRNA sequence detected in a pool of A. sculptum nymphs was phylogenetically close to Cytauxzoon felis sequences previously detected in cats from the United States. Rickettsia sp. closely related to Rickettsia bellii was detected in a pool of A. sculptum nymphs. This is the first report of haemoplasmas, B. machadoae, and Cytauxzoon spp. in A. sculptum. Wild boars and associated ticks do not seem to participate in the epidemiological cycle of C. burnetii in the region studied. This invasive mammal species may act as a potential disperser of ticks infected with Ehrlichia spp., Bartonella spp., haemotropic mycoplasmas, and Cytauxzoon, and may bring important epidemiological implications in the transmission of bartonelosis, ehrlichiosis, haemoplasmosis, and cytauxzoonosis to humans and animals, more specifically to horses, rodents, pigs, and cats.

Molecular Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Unstandardized Minas Artisanal Cheese Marketed in Southeastern Brazil.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. The causative pathogen has been detected in dairy products, which raises the possibility of consumption of dairy products as a possible route of transmission; however, this has not been adequately described. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in 87 samples of artisanal cheeses made from unpasteurized raw milk sold in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The cheese samples were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and the products from positive samples were sequenced. In addition, 150 people were interviewed to outline the profile of consumers and the consumption of non-inspected dairy products. The results showed that 4.6% (4/87) of the samples were positive for C. burnetii, with 99.84% identity with the reference 16S gene. Responses from consumer interviews indicate that 95.3% (143/150) of respondents consume milk and dairy products; 50% (75/150) consume fresh Minas artisanal cheese and milk at least once a day; 64.58% (93/144) do not check the inspection stamps on the packaging at the time of purchase; and 81.56% (122/146) do not know the meaning of these stamps. Thus, the presence of C. burnetii DNA in the analyzed cheeses and the consumption of unstandardized dairy products raise an alert for the risk of transmission of Q fever in the population that consumes them.

The Importance of Coordinated Actions in Preventing the Spread of Yellow Fever to Human Populations: The Experience from the 2016-2017 Yellow Fever Outbreak in the Northeastern Region of São Paulo State.

Yellow fever (YF) is a zoonotic arthropod-borne disease that is caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV) and characterized by a sylvatic and urban cycle. Its most severe presentation is manifested as a hemorrhagic disease, and it has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the last decades. This study describes the public health approaches taken to control the 2016-2017 YF outbreak in nonhuman primates (NHPs) that took place in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil. NHPs recovered from the field were necropsied, and YF diagnoses were made at the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School and the Center of Pathology, Adolfo Lutz Institute of São Paulo. NHP samples were inoculated into Vero cells for YFV isolation. RNA extraction was performed directly from NHP tissues and tested by RT-qPCR. YFV-positive samples were confirmed by sequencing. Based on the rapid RT-qPCR results, surveillance actions were implemented in the entire region. Confirmatory histopathology and immunohistochemistry for YFV were also performed. Among nine NHPs, gross hepatic involvement was observed in six animals, five of which were YFV-RT-qPCR-positive. One YFV was isolated from the serum of an infant NHP. YFV RNA sequences diverged from the virus responsible for the last epizootic that occurred in São Paulo state, but it was similar to the current Brazilian epizootic. Public health actions included dissemination of information on YF transmission, investigation of the probable location of NHP infection, characterization of the environment, and subsequent creation of the blueprint from which prevention and control measures were implemented. The YFV sylvatic cycle occurred in the periurban areas of the northeastern region of São Paulo state, but no human cases were reported during this period, showing that integrated actions between human, animal, and environmental health professionals were critical to restrain the virus to the sylvatic cycle.

Evaluation of dot-blot test for serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis

Abstract The objective of this study was to standardize and validate the dot-blot test for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, compare the results with those found in the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and complement fixation test (CF), and estimate the relative sensitivity and specificity of the dot-blot compared to these tests. Fifty bovine blood serum samples were used for the test standardization, and 1315 samples were used for evaluation and comparison between the tests; the results were compared using the Kappa indicator. At the end of standardization, it was established as optimal for the antigen obtained from Brucella abortus B19 after passing through a microorganism rupture process, the blood serum samples diluted at 1:100, and the conjugate at 1:30,000. The comparison of the dot-blot results with 2-ME showed Kappa index of 0.9939, sensitivity of 99.48%, and specificity 99.91%, with CF, Kappa index of 0.8226, sensitivity 100% and specificity 95.32%. Using the combination of the test results 2-ME and CF to establish the true condition of the animal, the dot-blot showed relative sensitivity of 100%, and relative specificity of 99.91%. The evaluated test proved to be effective and reliable, besides being easy to handle and interpret the results.

Evaluation of dot-blot test for serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis.

The objective of this study was to standardize and validate the dot-blot test for the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis, compare the results with those found in the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) and complement fixation test (CF), and estimate the relative sensitivity and specificity of the dot-blot compared to these tests. Fifty bovine blood serum samples were used for the test standardization, and 1315 samples were used for evaluation and comparison between the tests; the results were compared using the Kappa indicator. At the end of standardization, it was established as optimal for the antigen obtained from Brucella abortus B19 after passing through a microorganism rupture process, the blood serum samples diluted at 1:100, and the conjugate at 1:30,000. The comparison of the dot-blot results with 2-ME showed Kappa index of 0.9939, sensitivity of 99.48%, and specificity 99.91%, with CF, Kappa index of 0.8226, sensitivity 100% and specificity 95.32%. Using the combination of the test results 2-ME and CF to establish the true condition of the animal, the dot-blot showed relative sensitivity of 100%, and relative specificity of 99.91%. The evaluated test proved to be effective and reliable, besides being easy to handle and interpret the results.

Comparison between tests for tuberculosis diagnosis in slaughtered bovines / Comparação entre testes de diagnóstico para tuberculose em bovinos abatidos

Our goal for this article is to compare several different diagnosis tests for bovine tuberculosis identification. We have performed bacterial isolation, histopathological characterization, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) identification and M. bovis DNA detection. Lesions suggestive of Tuberculosis were sampled from bovine lymph nodes during slaughtering of bovines at an abattoir that operates under federal inspection. The bacterial isolation was performed in solid culture mediums, the histopathological characterization was made by Hematoxylin-eosinstaining, and AFB identification by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Bacterial DNA detection was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using DNA from two different sources, directly collected from the tuberculosis-like lesions (PCR followed by nested PCR) and from isolated bacteria. We have concluded that the multi-step approach, including histopathological characterization, bacterial isolation and AFB identification, is strongly recommended to diagnose tuberculosis in bovines. Furthermore, PCR assays using specimens of lesions suggestive of tuberculosis are a faster and more promising way to diagnose the disease. However, it should not be used alone due to the low sensitivity shown in this study.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi a comparação entre diferentes testes de diagnóstico para tuberculose bovina. Foram realizados o isolamento bacteriano, a caracterização histopatológica, a identificação de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes e a detecção do DNA de M. bovis pela reação em cadeia da polimerase, em bovinos adultos abatidos em matadouros frigoríficos sob o Serviço de Inspeção Federal, valendo-se de amostras de linfonodos com lesões macroscópicas sugestivas de tuberculose, identificadas e coletadas durante o abate. O isolamento bacteriano foi realizado pelo cultivo em meios de cultura sólidos; a caracterização histopatológica, pela coloração com hematoxilina-eosina; e a identificação de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes foi feita pela coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen. A detecção de DNA foi realizada em amostra extraída das lesões sugestivas de tuberculose pela reação em cadeia da polimerase, seguida da nested reação em cadeia da polimerase e por meio das colônias isoladas para identificação do M. bovis, utilizando-se também da reação em cadeia da polimerase . Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que os testes histopatológicos, o isolamento bacteriano e a identificação de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes são aconselháveis para o diagnóstico da tuberculose bovina. Além disso, ensaios de reação em cadeia da polimerase utilizando amostras de lesões sugestivas de tuberculose são um modo mais rápido e promissor para diagnosticar a enfermidade, no entanto não deve ser utilizado sozinho, em virtude da baixa sensibilidade apresentada neste estudo.(AU)

Detection of Bacillus cereus isolated during ultra high temperature milk production flowchart through random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction / Detecção de Bacillus cereus isolado durante o fluxograma de produção do leite tratado por ultra alta temperatura através do DNA polimórfico amplificado ao acaso através da reação em cadeia pela polimerase

ABSTRACT: The present study focused on isolation Bacillus cereus during the UHT milk production and shelf life, to assess the enterotoxigenic production capacity of isolates and to evaluate the use of the RAPD-PCR technique to verify whether Bacillus cereus isolated at different phases of UHT milk processing belongs to the same strain. For this, six groups of milk samples composed of raw, pasteurized and UHT milk were collected from a processing plant. The results revealed that bacteria belonging to the Bacillus cereus group were isolated from 51.6%, 81.6% and from 13.8% of raw, pasteurized and UHT milk samples, respectively. About 50.0% of isolates from raw milk, 19.2% isolates from pasteurized milk and 70.7% isolates from UHT milk were capable of producing enterotoxins. It was confirmed the genetic similarity among Bacillus cereus isolates from raw, pasteurized and UHT milk, therefore demonstrating that the microorganism is able to withstand UHT treatment. These results should serve as a warning to health authorities, given that 13.8% of samples were not in accordance with standards established by the Department of Health for containing a potentially pathogen agent, therefore indicating that contamination of milk by sporulating bacteria should be avoided.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se realizar o isolamento de bactérias do grupo do Bacillus cereus e verificação da semelhança genética entre elas, através da PCR-RAPD, durante a produção e vida de prateleira do leite UAT, bem como verificar sua capacidade enterotoxigência. Para isso, foram colhidas em uma usina de beneficiamento seis grupos de amostras de leite compostos cada um por amostras de leite cru, pasteurizado e UAT. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que bactérias do grupo do Bacillus cereus foram isoladas de 51,6% das amostras de leite cru, de 81,6% das de leite pasteurizado e de 13,8% das de leite UAT. Demonstraram-se capazes de produzir enterotoxinas 50,0% dos isolados de leite cru, 19,2% de leite pasteurizado e 70,7% de leite UAT. Também se pode constatar a semelhança genética entre as cepas de Bacillus cereus isoladas do leite cru, pasteurizado e UAT, evidenciando assim que o micro-organismo é capaz de resistir ao tratamento por UAT. Tais resultados devem servir de alerta às autoridades sanitárias, tendo em vista que 13,8% deles estavam em desacordo com o estabelecido pelo Ministério da Saúde, por serem capazes de veicular um agente potencialmente patogênico, demonstrando assim que a contaminação do leite por bactérias esporuladas deve ser motivo de preocupação.

Complexo teniose-cisticercose: ocorrência em abatedouro de bovinos e conhecimento de estudantes do ensino médio e consumidores no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Taeniosis-cysticercosis: occurrence during cattle slaughter and students and consumers knowledge in the Central Region of São Paulo State, Brazil

O complexo teniose-cisticercose bovina é considerado uma zoonose de grande impacto em saúde pública e animal, que acarreta em importantes perdas econômicas decorrentes da condenação de vísceras e carcaças durante o abate desses animais. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar o diagnóstico de situação do complexo teniose-cisticercose na Região Central do Estado de São Paulo através da determinação da ocorrência da enfermidade em um abatedouro, e também pela avaliação do perfil dos consumidores e do conhecimento de alunos do ensino médio sobre a epidemiologia do complexo teniose-cisticercose. Quanto á ocorrência de cisticercose na região observou-se a frequência de 3,06% entre os 1.667 bovinos abatidos. Quanto aos consumidores entrevistados, observou-se grande desconhecimento sobre a enfermidade, e também sobre os perigos oriundos do consumo de alimentos de origem desconhecida ou indevidamente preparados. O mesmo desconhecimento foi observado através da aplicação dos questionários aos estudantes. Conclui-se que a região carece de medidas efetivas para o controle da enfermidade, principalmente no tocante à educação da população sobre a importância da enfermidade, seus aspectos epidemiológicos e métodos de prevenção.

The bovine taeniosis-cysticercosis complex is considered a zoonosis of major impact on public and animal health, resulting in economic losses resulting from carcasses condemnation during these animals slaughter. This study aimed to perform a diagnosis of the situation of the taeniosis-cysticercosis complex in the Central Region of São Paulo State by establishing the occurrence of the disease in a slaughterhouse, establishing the consumer and profile and high school students knowledge about the disease. There was 3.06% for cysticercosis in 1.667 cattle slaughtered during the study. About the consumers, it was observed ignorance about the disease, and the risks on the consumption of foods with unknown origin or improperly cooked. The same ignorance was observed in high school students. It can be concluded that the region cares effective measures to control the disease, especially regarding public education about the importance of the disease and prevention

Cisticercose suína e bovina - ocorrência em abatedouros do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Swine and bovine cysticercosis ­ occurrence in slaughterhouses located at São Paulo State, Brazil

Objetivou-se determinar a frequência de ocorrência da cisticercose em carcaças suínas e bovinas em 56 abatedouros sob fiscalização do Serviço de Inspeção do Estado de São Paulo (SISP) durante os anos 2008 a 2013. Para os 1.305.723 suínos abatidos no período foram detectados cisticercos em apenas 125 (0,01%) animais, dos quais 116 (92,80%) estavam calcificados. Determinou-se que dos 1.434.445 bovinos, 24.278 (1,69%) apresentaram cisticercos, dos quais 19.826 (81,67%) apresentavamse calcificados. Também se observou uma relação inversa (P < 0,05) entre as variáveis tempo e frequência de ocorrência. A maior ocorrência nessa espécie evidencia que são necessárias melhorias nas práticas sanitárias preventivas durante a criação desses animais, como a adoção das Boas Práticas Agropecuárias (BPA) para reduzir a ocorrência da cisticercose a níveis baixos igualmente observados para os suínos.

This study was focused on the determination of cysticercosis prevalence in swine and cattle carcasses in 56 slaughterhouses under supervision from Inspection Service of São Paulo State (SISP) between the years 2008 and 2013. Amongst the 1,305,723 pigs slaughtered, cysticercosis was present in only 125 (0.01%) of them in which, 116 (92.80%) were calcified. Nonetheless, cysticercosis was present in 24,278 (1.69%) of the 1,434,445 bovine carcasses evaluated; 19,826 (81.67%) were calcified. An inverse relationship (P <0.05) between time and the disease occurrence variable was observed. Sanitary preventive practices improvements, such as the Good Agricultural Practices, are required during the cattle rearing in order to decrease the cysticercosis occurrence to low prevalence levels as observed in swine rearing.

Proteólise da κ-caseína em leite e bebida láctea UAT durante o período de validade comercial / κ-casein proteolysis during the shelf-life of UHT milk and milk beverage

A proteólise do leite e da bebida láctea UAT durante a estocagem é um dos fatores mais importantes na determinação da validade comercial desses. O teor de glicomacropeptídeos (GMP) é um marcador das ações proteolíticas no leite, pois é capaz de indicar indiretamente a integridade da κ-caseína. Assim, no presente trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a proteólise da κ-caseína do leite e da bebida láctea UAT ao longo do período de validade. Foram avaliadas 60 amostras de cinco diferentes marcas comerciais de cada produto através do método espectrofotométrico para quantificação de ácido siálico. Para o leite UAT foi observado o intervalo entre 3,83 e 15,27 µg de ácido siálico/mL no início do período de validade (D0), 5,95 a 17,16 µg de ácido siálico/mL 60 dias após o início do período (D60) e 6,54 a 21,11 µg de ácido siálico/mL no final do período, ou seja, 120 dias após (D120) a produção. Já para as bebidas lácteas foram observados intervalos entre 11,12 e 24,25; 15,74 e 24,73 e 17,19 e 26,49 µg de ácido siálico/mL para o dia inicial, 60 e 120 dias do período de validade, respectivamente. Os valores obtidos para o índice proteolítico do leite e bebida láctea UAT aumentaram gradativamente ao longo do período de validade dos produtos, sendo tal diferença detectável a partir de sessenta dias. Não foi observada influência da abertura da embalagem na proteólise da k-caseína.

The UHT milk and milk beverage proteolysis during storage is the major factor that limits the shelf-life of these products. The GMP content has assumed importance because it can indirectly indicate the integrity of κ-casein in milk. So, this study focused on evaluates the κ-casein proteolysis in UHT milk and milk beverage during the shelf-life. 60 samples obtained of five different brands of each product were evaluated by spectrophotometric assay for quantifying acid sialic. For UHT milk was observed the values ranging from 3.83 to 15.27 µg acid sialic/ml at the begin of the shelf-life, from 5.95 to 17.16 mg sialic acid/ml at the middle of the period (60 days after the production) and 6.54 to 21.11 mg sialic acid/ml at the end of shelf-life (120 days). For milk beverages were observed ranges between 11.12 to 24.25, 15.74 to 24.73 µg of sialic acid/ml and from 17.19 to 26.49 mg sialic acid/ml respectively for the beginning, 60 and 120 days of the shelf-life. The proteolysis rate in UHT milk and milk beverage increased during the shelflife and is detectable after 60 days of the shelf-life. The practice of open the package did not influence the κ-casein proteolysis.

Conhecimento de manipuladores de carne sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose e Boas Práticas de Manipulação de alimentos em Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brasil / Meat handlers knowledge of taeniosis-cysticercosis complex and goodmanufacturing practices in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil

O estudo objetivou avaliar o conhecimento de manipuladores de carne do Município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose e sobre as Boas Práticas de Manipulação dos alimentos. Participaram do estudo 25 estabelecimentos, dos quais nove de pequeno porte, dez de médio porte e seis de grande porte. A coleta de dados foi feita por aplicação de questionários estruturados com 21 questões fechadas que contemplaram dados quantitativos e qualitativos. Cada questão foi considerada como uma variável e as respostas foram analisadas descritivamente e pelo método de Análise de Correspondência. Através dos resultados pode-se verificar que os profissionais entrevistados desconheciam o assunto, sinalizando falta de capacitação para identificar possíveis perigos, como a cisticercose. Numericamente, as empresas de porte médio foram as que apresentaram melhor nível de conhecimento sobre boas práticas de manipulação, apesar de não ter sido constatada diferença estatística relevante no nível de conhecimento sobre o complexo teniose-cisticercose em relação ao porte da empresa.  Conclui-se que há necessidade de um trabalho de educação sanitária direcionado a esses profissionais.

This study aimed to evaluate meat handler’s knowledge of teniasis-cysticercosis complex and Good food Handling Practices insupermarkets, grocery stores, and butcher shops from Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. For that, were evaluated 25 commercialestablishments, of which nine are small merchants, ten are medium-sized shops, and six were considered as large super-markets.Data were collected with closed questionnaires with 21 questions on quantitative and qualitative information. Each question wasconsidered as a single variable and the answers were analyzed descriptively and by correspondence analysis multivariate statistics.The data show the interviewed professionals were unaware of the issue, indicating lack of training for recognition of possible risks,as the cysticercosis. Despite the medium-sized establishments showed better results, the overall results are equivalent on thestatistical analysis. Therefore, sanitary educational practices directed to these professionals are strongly recommended to improvefood safety.

Pressão e temperatura da água de lavagem na população microbiana da superfície de carcaças bovinas / Washing water pressure and temperature on microbial population of cattle carcasses surface

Considerando que a superfície das carcaças bovinas pode se contaminar durante as diferentes etapas do abate e que a lavagem no final do processo tende a reduzir a população microbiana, o presente estudo foi realizado a fim de verificar a influência da temperatura e da pressão da água de lavagem sobre a população de microrganismos heterotróficos mesófilos, psicrotróficos, bolores e leveduras, coliformes totais e coliformes termotolerantes. Para tal, foram coletadas amostras, por suabe de esponja, em quatro pontos da superfície de 80 carcaças (flanco, pescoço, peito e alcatra). Vinte delas foram lavadas com água a 25°C e sem pressão artificial, 20 com água a 25°C sob pressão de 3atm, 20 com água a 40°C e sem pressão artificial e 20 com água a 40°C sob pressão de 3atm. Para efeito de controle, foram coletadas amostras, pelo mesmo método, de 20 carcaças sem lavar, totalizando 100 amostras. Os resultados evidenciaram que a água sob pressão em temperatura de 25oC foi mais eficiente na remoção de microrganismos do que a água aquecida, muito embora esse último caso promovesse uma limpeza mais visível das carcaças.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of washing water temperature and pressure on mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic bacterial populations, yeasts and molds, total coliforms and fecal coliforms population, whereas the cattle carcass surface may become contaminated during the different slaughter procedures and the final carcass washing may reduce microbial population. Samples were taken by sponge swabbing in four areas of carcass surface (flank, neck, chest and rump), from which 20 were washed with water at 25°C and without artificial pressure, 20 with water under a pressure of 3atm, 20 with water at 40°C and without artificial pressure and 20 with water at 40°C under a pressure of 3atm. For control purpose and using the same method to collect more 20 carcasses samples were taken without washing,, totaling 100 samples. The results showed that the water at 25°C under 3atm pressure was more efficient to remove microorganisms from carcass surface than the heated water , although this latter promotes a more visible clean carcasses.