Paulo Sérgio de Arruda Pinto

Distribuição e identificação das regiões de risco para a cisticercose bovina no estado do Paraná

Bovine cysticercosis is a problem of public and animal health highly spread in Brazil, which has negative repercussions in meat production in several states. This is one of the most common diseases occurring in the slaughterhouses under sanitary inspection, becoming a concern for cold stores and producers, because of the losses that it entails. Little is known about the distribution and evolution of the number of cases of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Parana. Given the above, this work aimed to perform a retrospective survey on the occurrence of bovine cysticercosis, diagnosed by post-mortem examination by the Federal Inspection Service of the State of Parana from 2004 to 2008; determine the distribution of cases in the state; identify the areas that most likely present cases of the disease, and analyze the economic loss of the state due to the condemnations for this parasitosis. It has been found a 2.23% prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in the state of Parana. During the period analyzed, there was a statistically significant reduction (p<0.05) of the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in the state. In the years 2004-2008, 29,708,550 kg of beef were condemned for cysticercosis, leading to economic losses. The state of Parana is getting, through the deployment of the control program for the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex, a positive development since it got, during the analysis period, to reduce the prevalence of this parasite in cattle and, thus, reduce the economic losses.

Isolamento de Salmonella sp e Staphylococcus aureus no processo do abate suíno como subsídio ao sistema de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle - APPCC

O presente estudo foi realizado para avaliar a presenca de Salmonella sp e o numero de Staphylococcus aureus na superficie de carcacas suinas e caracterizar os perigos microbiologicos em diferentes etapas do abate e pontos criticos de controle (PCCs), atraves da quantificacao de riscos (odds ratio). Um total de 120 esfregacos superficiais de carcaca suina foi coletado em um matadouro-frigorifico, apos o escaldamento/depilacao (ponto A), antes da evisceracao (B), apos evisceracao e serragem da carcaca (C) e apos 24 horas de refrigeracao (D). Salmonella sp foi encontrada com uma frequencia media de 11,7% (14) nas carcacas, enquanto o numero de S. aureus variou entre 1,2 e 1,5 log UFC/cm2 em 11,7% das carcacas amostradas, sem evidenciar diferenca estatistica entre os pontos A, B, C e D. Pode-se concluir que os riscos de contaminacao por Salmonella sp e S. aureus foram os mesmos nas etapas do abate de suinos consideradas neste estudo.

Pontos críticos de controle de Salmonella spp. no abate de frangos

The presence of Salmonella spp. in superficial swabs collected from 135 chicken carcasses in five different slaugther steps using the conventional microbiology, PCR, and immunoanalysis methods was evaluated. The three methods presented similar tendency to detect Salmonella spp. in the chicken carcasses along the slaugther line. The highest frequency of Salmonella spp. was found after the shower, located between the evisceration and the chiller. Twenty (14.8%) swabes were determined by the conventional methodology, 52 (38.9%) by the PCR, and 66 (48.9%) by the immunoanalysis. The lowest contamination was found after chiller tank, where the frequencies were 5 (3.7%), 0 (0%), and 24 (16.7%), respectively. Salmonella spp. was found in all the slaugther steps. This shows the importance for monitoring different CCP (Control Critical Point) in the poultry slaughterhouses.

Salmonella spp. and hygiene indicator microorganisms in chicken carcasses obtained at different processing stages in two slaughterhouses.

Chicken meat is considered an important vehicle of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella spp., demanding an effective control of its contamination during industrial processing. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Salmonella spp. and microbiological indicators at different stages of processing in two slaughterhouses (Sh1, high-capacity; Sh2, low-capacity). Surface samples of chicken carcasses were collected in the following sequential stages: (A) immediately before evisceration, (B) after evisceration, (C) after showering, and (D) after chiller. All samples were submitted for detection of Salmonella spp. and enumeration of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The obtained means and frequencies were compared by analysis of variance and chi-square tests (p < 0.05), considering different slaughterhouses and stages of processing. No significant differences were observed between the frequencies of Salmonella spp. obtained at different steps in Sh1 and Sh2 (p > 0.05). Sh2 showed higher levels of microbiological contamination when compared with Sh1 for mesophilic aerobes (in stages B and D), total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms (stage D), and E. coli (all stages) (p < 0.05). The variation in the levels of contamination by microbiological indicators over the processing indicated the significance of different control procedures adopted by slaughterhouses for the microbiological quality of chicken carcasses.

Análise e monitoramento de pontos críticos no abate de frangos utilizando indicadores microbiológicos

Hygiene indicator microorganisms in a poultry slaughter was evaluated during the processing in order to identify potential critical control points and allow options for monitoring or verification by Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. Microbiological superficial contamination of chicken carcasses was establish by the enumeration of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli in the following steps of processing: A - before the first hygienic shower, B - after the first hygienic shower, C - after manual evisceration, D - after final washing shower, and E - after the chiller tank. The mean counts of mesophilic aerobes, total and thermotolerant coliforms was not significantly different (P<0.05) in the steps A, B, C and D. However, the mean values of these microorganisms in step E (after chilling) was significantly lower when compared to the one obtained in the other steps. The mean counts of Escherichia coli were not significantly different, independently of the processing step analyzed. The chances of contamination were estimated by Odds Ration, and it was observed that chances were higher in the step A for mesophilic aerobes, and in the step C for coliforms. Considering the analyzed parameters, the levels of contamination by mesophilic aerobes, total and thermotolerant coliforms were the most suitable for monitoring and verification of a HACCP system in a poultry processing plant. The obtained results indicate that the chilling can be considered as an important critical control point, once this procedure was able to reduce significantly the microbiological contamination.

Serotypes and Pulsotypes Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes in a Beef-Processing Environment

Utensils and equipment from meat-processing facilities are considered relevant cross-contamination points of Listeria monocytogenes to foods, demanding tracking studies to identify their specific origins, and predict proper control. The present study aimed to detect L. monocytogenes in a beef-processing facility, investigating the diversity of serotypes and pulsotypes in order to identify the possible contamination routes. Surface samples from knives (n=26), tables (n=78), and employees hands (n=74) were collected before and during the procedures from a beef-processing facility, in addition to surface samples of end cuts: round (n=32), loin (n=30), and chuck (n=32). All samples were subjected to L. monocytogenes screening according ISO 11.290-1, and the obtained isolates were subjected to serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Listeria spp. were identified in all processing steps, in 61 samples, and L. monocytogenes was detected in 17 samples, not being found only in knives. Eighty-five isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes, from serotypes 1/2c (n=65), 4b (n=13), and 1/2b (n=7), being grouped in 19 pulsotypes. Considering these results, cross-contamination among hands, tables, and beef cuts could be identified. The obtained data indicated the relevance of cross-contamination in the beef-processing facility, and the occurrence of serotypes 1/2b and 4b in beef cuts distributed for retail sale is a public health concern.

Diagnóstico do complexo teníase-cisticercose bovina em São João Evangelista, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Com o objetivo de diagnosticar a situacao do complexo teniase-cisticercose bovina em Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi selecionado o municipio de Sao Joao Evangelista, onde foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 339 bovinos em 15 propriedades rurais, sorteadas aleatoriamente. Em cada propriedade, foi aplicado um questionario socioeconomico para a analise de fatores que favorecem a manutencao do complexo teniase-cisticercose bovina. Foi realizado tambem o diagnostico de teniase humana por meio de exame coproparasitologico dos habitantes das propriedades. Encontrou-se a prevalencia de 4,1% para cisticercose bovina e a frequencia de 2,94% para teniase humana. Entre os fatores de risco para a manutencao do complexo teniase-cisticercose analisados, foi observada uma relacao estatisticamente significativa (P=0,042) entre a ocorrencia de cisticercose bovina e a ingestao de carne malpassada pelos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que a cisticercose bovina esta presente no municipio de Sao Joao Evangelista, MG, em indices considerados endemicos, sendo o consumo de carne malpassada e nao inspecionada o principal fator de risco para a manutencao do complexo teniase-cisticercose, o que reforca a necessidade da adocao de medidas de controle com continua vigilância epidemiologica e sanitaria.

Epidemiological survey of the taeniasis/cysticercosis complex in cattle farms in Viçosa County, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Despite the importance of human taeniasis/bovine cysticercosis for public and animal health and the economy, its actual epidemiological status in Brazil is not well-studied. We sought to assess the epidemiological profile of this zoonosis in the rural area of Vicosa County, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was 0.42%, whereas no case of human taeniasis was diagnosed. Factors favoring the persistence of zoonosis were identified. These included the supply of untreated water to animals, animals raised for slaughter without sanitary supervision, poor mechanization of raising techniques, and the use of untreated water for human consumption. Bovine meat for human consumption acquired in the city or from the farm itself was characterized as a risk factor for bovine cysticercosis (Odds Ratio (OR) =16.77; p<0.05). Nevertheless, the families on the investigated farms did apply several appropriate measures to control this disease, such as the virtual lack of open sewers and the consumption of well-cooked meat. The presence of bovine cysticercosis cases, and the factors favoring its persistence, point to the need for constant epidemiological and sanitary surveillance in this county.

Prevalência do complexo teníase-cisticercose na zona rural do município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais

Taeniasis occurs due to the presence of the adult form of Taenia sp. in human beings, and cysticercosis is caused by the presence of the larval stage of T. solium in pigs and humans. A transversal study was conducted aiming to determine the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and Taeniasis in 176 farms located in rural areas of Vicosa-MG. Blood samples of 226 pigs, and feces samples of 266 humans were collected. An epidemiological survey has also been done. We found a prevalence of 0.4% of porcine cysticercosis and Taeniasis has not been found. The epidemiological data has shown that although most people consumed non-inspected pork, it used to be prepared well-done. Data showed that 88.1% of the pigs are reared in confinement in only 1.1% of the properties the sewer was disposed on the soil, and 99.4% used pipes for water distribution. It can be concluded that the prevalence of the Taeniasis-cysticercosis complex in rural areas of Vicosa (State of Minas Gerais) is lower than in other similar regions.

Aplicação da técnica de PCR na detecção de Yersinia enterocolitica em suínos abatidos sem inspeção

The contamination of swine carcasses and tonsils by Yersinia enterocolitica in slaughterhouses without inspection was evaluated. The conventional microbiological analysis was compared with the PCR technique of carcass or tonsil swabs, as a subsidy to the microbiological evaluation in the HACCP system. The costs of the two techniques were also calculated. Y. enterocolitica was not detected by the conventional microbiological analysis. Using the PCR, it was possible to detect this bacterium in carcass (40%) and tonsil (43%) samples. There was no difference between the positive results for the carcass and tonsil samples. The PCR showed to be a more effective, fast and economic alternative for the Y. enterocolitica detection, as compared to the conventional microbiological analysis.