Prevalence of spp. in Poultry in Three Spanish Farms, A Slaughterhouse and A Further Processing Plant.

The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of spp. in a selection of poultry flocks and the corresponding broiler carcasses as well as the possible impact of contamination during slaughter and processing. Samples of the same flock at different ages in three farms (A, B and C) were taken for the determination of spp. The same broiler flocks were examined at different stages of one slaughterhouse and at a further processing plant. The slaughterhouse environment and processing equipment were sampled. spp. was not detected in 7 and 14-day-old broilers in any of the three farms studied. However, spp. was detected in 35 and 42-day-old broilers at two farms (Farm A and B). This pathogen was detected in both dirty and clean transport crates, in scalding water, and on the defeathering machine and the working table at the end of the working day, but not at the beginning. After defeathering, spp. was detected in all of the sampled carcasses. spp. was detected in all of the carcasses and the poultry meat portion samples from Farm C, although it was not detected at the farm level. This suggests that spp. infected flocks may be a source of these bacteria in the corresponding carcasses, but a cross-contamination during the transportation and slaughter process is also very important.