Acta Vet. Brno 2024, 93: 87-92

https://doi.org/10.2754/avb202493010087

Occurrence of Salmonella spp. in fattening pigs at a slaughterhouse in the Czech Republic

Helena Veselá1, Marta Dušková1, Petra Furmančíková1, Renáta Karpíšková1,2, Josef Kameník1

1University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Animal Origin Food and Gastronomic Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
2Masaryk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Brno, Czech Republic

Received September 26, 2023
Accepted February 19, 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in fattening pigs in a slaughterhouse in the Czech Republic. Tonsils, mesenteric lymph nodes, and caecal contents were sampled from 120 pigs originating from eight farms. A total of 360 samples were examined. Cultivation methods were used to detect Salmonella. Suspect isolates were subjected to phenotypic identification. Serotyping was performed by slide agglutination method. The multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect genes encoding flagellar proteins. Salmonella spp. was isolated in 3 out of 360 samples (0.83%). The results proved the presence of serovars S. Typhimurium, S. Derby, and monophasic S. Typhimurium. Although our study found a relatively low prevalence of Salmonella in fattening pigs at the Czech slaughterhouse, consistent implementation of Salmonella control program during pork production is critical in order to ensure the protection of consumer health.

Funding

This study was supported by grant No. 209/2022/FVHE from the Internal Grant Agency of the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno.

References

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