Caracterización de cepas de Escherichia coli enteropatogénico (EPEC) aisladas durante el proceso de faena de pollos. / [Characterization of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains isolated during the chicken slaughtering process].

ABSTRACT

In Argentina, EPEC is one of the most prevalent agents isolated from children with diarrhea. Because contamination with this pathotype could occur during slaughter, the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize EPEC strains obtained from live animals (cloacae), eviscerated carcasses, washed carcasses and water from chillers. Twenty nine isolates of atypical EPEC were characterized. These isolates presented a wide variety of serotypes, some of which (O2H40, O8H19 and O108H9) had been reported in other animal species. Serotype O45H8, previously isolated from children with diarrhea was also found. Isolates of serotypes O2H40, O108H9 and O123H32 were detected at different stages of the slaughtering process, suggesting that the process is not adequately performed. This latter fact highlights the importance of reinforcing control and hygienic measures at different stages of the chicken slaughtering process in order to reduce microbial contamination.