prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. on bovine carcasses in Isfahan, Iran

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli, E. coli O157H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. on slaughtered cattle in Isfahan, Iran. A total of 203 cattle carcasses were sampled by surface section of neck meat taken immediately after slaughter and analyzed using microbiological examinations. Suspected colonies to E. coli O157H7 were confirmed by a specific polymerase chain reaction method [PCR]. The results showed that the contamination rate of samples to E. coli and E. coil O157H7 were 42.4 and 6.4%, respectively. Seasonal distribution showed that the highest prevalence of E. coli and E. coli O157H7 occurred in summer samples. Six carcasses carried L. monocytogenes whereas Campylobacter spp. were not detected on any carcasses. The results indicated that prevalence of E. coil and E. coli O157H7 was high on bovine carcasses in lsfahan. This condition should be considered as a probable hazard for human health