SPREAD POTENTIAL OF Salmonella sp. FROM MESENTERIC LYMPH NODES OF SWINE SLAUGHTERED IN WESTERN PARANA TO WHITE VISCERA, INSPECTION TABLES AND TO STAFF KNIVES AND GLOVES DURING POST-MORTEM INSPECTION

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Salmonella sp. serovars in mesenteric lymph nodes of swine as well as the spread potential of the agent during slaughter and inspection activities. Animals were bred in confinement and slaughtered in officially inspected facilities in western Parana, Brazil. Thefollowing samples were collected in five replications, at different moments of the slaughter process: 30 chains of mesenteric lymph nodes; 12 swabs of white viscera inspection tables; eight swabs of knives used in lymph nodes inspection; and four swabs of gloves of theinspection staff. Microbiological analysis of the lymph nodes of 150 animals showed Salmonella sp in 17.3% (26/150) of them. The agent was also isolated in 5.0% (2/40) of the knives, and in 28.3% (17/60) of the white viscera inspection tables. None of the gloves was positive(0/20). In conclusion, Salmonella serovars from mesenteric lymph nodes and different surfaces that get in contact with slaughtered animals show the agent´s spread potential and consequently cross-contamination during the slaughter process