Molecular subtyping of Salmonella spp. strains in provincial abattoirs with no hazard analysis critical control point from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We subtyped 32 Salmonella enterica strains isolated from carcasses (n=10), the environment (n=14), head meat (n=1) and viscera washing and chilling water (n=7) in provincial abattoirs with no Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system from Buenos Aires, Argentina, before and after implementing improvement actions. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was carried out using the XbaI restriction enzyme. Strains belonged to six serovars, from which 10 restriction patterns were obtained (five unique patterns and five clusters). We found different clones of S. enterica serovars in the same abattoir by XbaI-PFGE. In addition to promoting good hygiene practices, the implementation of an HACCP plan is necessary to meet the zero-tolerance criteria for Salmonella on beef.