Prevalence and Risk factors of Salmonella species in cattle presenting at Slaughter in Tripoli, Libya

الملخص

ABSTRACT

Foodborne disease caused by Salmonella is an important public health concern worldwide.  An observational study was conducted on apparently healthy cattle at four abattoirs, Tripoli, Libya from April 2017 to October 2017.  The objective was to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella isolated from feces of cattle and to identify associated risk factors in abattoirs. From the total of 353 fecal samples examined for Salmonella using the conventional culture procedures outlined by International organization For Standardization, 15 (4.25%) were positive.  A real-time PCR assay yielded 2 poitives out of 44 randomly selected negative-culture fecal samples. Origin of animals and shipping distance factors found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of Salmonella in cattle feces at the time of slaughtering (P<0.05).   The results presented in this study confirm the presence of Salmonella in cattle feces at slaughter which may pose a considerable food safety hazard.  In addition, the application of real-time PCR assay proved to be an important tool for rapid, sensitive detection of Salmonella in cattle feces. 

Key words:  Salmonella; Cattle; feces; conventional cultures; Real-Time PCR, Tripoli, Libya.