Characterization of Salmonella species from pork meat in Tolima, Colombia

Background: Salmonella is a Gram-negative bacterium and the principal cause of human gastroenteritis that originates from the consumption of animal products.Objective: to determine serotype and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella spp. isolated from pork meat and environmental samples in 6 slaughterhouses and 14 butcheries in Tolima, Colombia. Methods: slaughterhouses and butcheries were selected depending on their slaughter capacity and compliance with good manufacturing practices. Samples (n = 507) were taken from carcasses, the environment, and fomites (i.e., surfaces of knives, hooks, floor, siphons, work surfaces, and transport trucks), then cultured in Salmonella selective media. Following this, the isolated Salmonella spp. was identified using a conventional biochemical test and genus antiserum (Poli A + Vi). The Kauffman-Whyte scheme was used for serotyping and the agar diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer) was used to determine antibiotic sensitivity. Results:Manhattan, Derby, Typhimurium, Javiana, Muenster, Hvittingfoss, Sinsfort, Kattbus, and Saint Paul serotypes of Salmonella were isolated from both pork meat and environmental samples, being Derby the most common serotype. Salmonella isolates showed antibiotic multiresistance mainly to tetracycline, lincomycin and nalidixic acid. Conclusion: several Salmonella serotypes are present in slaughterhouses and meat samples from butcheries, and they show similar antibiotic resistance patterns. This work represents the first report on Salmonella serotypes in slaughterhouses and pork meat from butcheries in Tolima, Colombia