R. A. Ernst

Efficacy of disinfection of shell eggs externally contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis: Implications for egg testing

Experimental contamination of the surface of shell eggs by dipping in a culture of Salmonella enteritidis resulted in the presence of Salmonella enteritidis in/on the shells as well as shell membranes but not in the egg content. Disinfection with Lugols solution, chlorhexidine, ethanol, quarternary ammonium solutions or flaming after dipping in ethanol failed to achieve complete decontamination of the shell and membranes with resulting false positives when eggs were broken for culturing of the content. Dipping eggs for three seconds in boiling water resulted in complete destruction of Salmonella enteritidis in shells and membranes but sometimes caused the eggs to crack. A method of aseptically opening eggs without risk of contaminating the content from the shell or membrane was developed. Salmonella enteritidis deposited in/on the shell and membranes did not multiply during storage of the eggs at 20 degrees C for four weeks, the counts seemed to decrease. No Salmonella enteritidis was detected in the contents of any contaminated eggs.

Aflatoxin Susceptibility in Various Breeds of Poultry

Summary The comparative aflatoxin susceptibility in 18 different strains, crosses, or breeds of chickens, turkeys, and quail was evaluated under standardized conditions. One-half of the day-old chicks in each group were fed a diet containing aflatoxin equivalent in toxicity to 800 ppb pure aflatoxin B1 for periods of 2 to 6 weeks. Chicks were autopsied at weekly intervals to evaluate blood and liver biochemical and liver histological effects. One of the most sensitive biochemical responses to the degree of aflatoxin intoxication was a decrease in plasma albumin. Reduction in liver succinic dehydrogenase and nucleic acid concentration were also sensitive indicators of toxicity. Most adversely affected by aflatoxin were New Hampshire chicks and turkey poults. When New Hampshire hens were crossed with Leghorn males or vice versa, the sensitivity of the chicks to aflatoxin was no longer detectable, suggesting that the susceptibility is a genetically controlled factor. Birds possessing considerable resistance to aflatoxin included Barred Rock and Austrolop chickens and guinea fowl.

Descriptive Study of California Egg Layer Premises and Analysis of Risk Factors for Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis as Characterized by Manure Drag Swabs

Abstract This cross-sectional, double-blind study reports the prevalence of Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis (SE) on California egg layer premises using single vs. pooled manure drag swabs and presents a description of egg production and management systems in the state and an initial analysis of risk factors for SE. The study included 91% of all known eligible egg premises in California, representing the majority of eggs produced in the state. The overall prevalence of SE on California egg layer premises was 10.5%, while 1.1% of all rows sampled were positive for SE. The percentage of positive rows for SE on any premises never exceeded 25% of the 16 swabs collected per premises. A description of egg production and management on California egg layer premises is presented. Statistically significant associations for SE were not evident and were limited because of sample size and the low prevalence of SE on California egg layer premises. Several biological and management factors, such as flock health, stage of production, manure management, ventilation, and watering systems, show trend associations with premises positive for SE and require further investigation. Manure drag swabs serve as a useful tool to validate the core components of an egg quality assurance program for SE based on process control principles.

The Occurrence and Distribution of Salmonella enteritidis and Other Serovars on California Egg Laying Premises: A Comparison of Two Sampling Methods and Two Culturing Techniques

Abstract Between the summer of 1998 and the winter of 2000, Salmonella analysis was performed on 2128 single and 532 pooled manure drag swabs obtained from 133 California commercial egg laying farms. The isolation of Salmonella from all rows and from all flocks using single or pooled swabs was 80% and 92%, respectively. Hence, there was no statistical difference between single vs. pooled swabs in terms of identifying Salmonella on a row or flock basis. A total of 14 serogroups comprising 44 serotypes were isolated from 123 of 133 farms. When the top 10 serotypes were considered, there was no significant difference in the range of serotypes isolated by the two culturing methods. The overall S. enteritidis prevalence for California flocks was 10.5% (14/133). The overall row prevalence for S. enteritidis for all the farms was 1.1% (24/2128), and the overall pool prevalence was 2.4% (13/532). Sixty percent (12/20) of the S. enteritidis isolates from the positive farms were phage type 4, and 40% (8/20) represented five other phage types (1, 6B, 7, 8, and 28).

Temperature Sequence of Eggs from Oviposition Through Distribution: Transportation—Part 3

The Egg Safety Action Plan released in 1999 raised many questions concerning egg temperature used in the risk assessment model. Therefore, a national study by researchers in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas was initiated to determine the internal and external temperature sequence of eggs from oviposition through distribution. Researchers gathered data from commercial egg production, processing, and distribution facilities. The experimental design was a mixed model with random effects for season and a fixed effect for duration of the transport period (long or short haul). It was determined that processors used refrigerated transport trucks (REFER) as short-term storage (STS) in both the winter and summer. Therefore, this summary of data obtained from REFER also examines the impact of their use as STS. Egg temperature data were recorded for specific loads of eggs during transport to point of resale or distribution to retailers. To standardize data comparisons between loads, they were segregated between long and short hauls. The summer egg temperatures were higher in the STS and during delivery. Egg temperature was not significantly reduced during the STS phase. Egg temperature decreases were less (P < 0.0001) during short delivery hauls 0.6 degrees C than during long hauls 7.8 degrees C. There was a significant season x delivery interaction (P < 0.05) for the change in the temperature differences between the egg and ambient temperature indicated as the cooling potential. This indicated that the ambient temperature during long winter deliveries had the potential to increase egg temperature. The REFER used as STS did not appreciably reduce internal egg temperature. These data suggest that the season of year affects the temperature of eggs during transport. Eggs are appreciably cooled on the truck, during the delivery phase, which was contrary to the original supposition that egg temperatures would remain static during refrigerated transport. These data indicate that refrigerated transport should be a component in future assessments of egg safety.

Microbiological monitoring of hatchery and hatching egg sanitation

Wright and Epps (1958), Wright et al (1959) and Magwood (1962) found total bacterial counts of hatcher fluff to be a reliable indication of hatchery sanitation. However, this technique requires the...

Egg Quality Assurance Programs

Quality assurance has long been applied to manufacturing and food processing. Recently many food processors have developed quality assurance plans based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point principles (HACCP). HACCP plans are now required by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) for poultry processing plants (see Quality Assurance and Food Safety—Chicken Meat, Chapter 44). Applying these principles to egg production was an idea that grew from an industry need for a voluntary program to address egg safety. Industry cooperators wanted a plan with oversight by an independent agent to assure consumers, customers, and government health agencies that products were produced under high sanitary standards. These programs set minimum standards for good flock management and farm sanitation. Today, plans of this type have been developed by several states and at least one national egg organization.

Selecting Chickens for Home Use

Author(s): Ernst, Ralph A; Bradley, Francine A; Beall, Gary | Abstract: Whether you want to raise chickens for eggs, meat, or show, you will find valuable, basic information in this free publication.