THE ROLE OF TRUCK WASH PRACTICES IN DISSEMINATION OF SALMONELLA AND CAMPYLOBACTER IN COMMERICIAL SWINE PRODUCTION.

Summary This study investigated the sources of two foodborne pathogens, Salmonella and Campylobacter in a commercial swine production system. Pathogens were characterized using conventional culture and isolation techniques and antibiograms. Four swine herds were selected and followed from late nursery to slaughter along with the four truck washes servicing the sys-tem. Increase in Salmonella prevalence with increasing age from late nursery to slaughter was found. Prevalence of Campylobacter fluctuated in different age groups throughout the production period. All truck washes, except truck wash D, showed a reduction in contamination from pre to post wash. It was found that trucks remain a potential source of Salmonella and Campylobacter even after washing and disinfection. The type and extent of multi-drug resistance varied by stage of production and environmental source. Genotypic profiling is underway to determine the clonali-ty of isolates from pigs, trucks and environmental samples to better characterize important sources of cross contamination. Introduction Salmonella and Campylobacter are the most important food borne pathogens in many countries including the United States. These bacteria have been responsible for more than 500 and 124 deaths each year, respectively (Mead et al., 1999). In the U.S. Salmonella serovars o