Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from slaughterhouses and pork in São Paulo State and their comparision with isolates from clinic cases in humans

Author(s)

Renata Paixão

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2010-03-12

Examining board members

Andrea Micke Moreno; Simone de Carvalho Balian; José Soares Ferreira Neto; Ernesto Hofer; Maria Helena Matte

• Advisor: Andrea Micke Moreno

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica are zoonotic agents with capacity of transmission through foods, including pork. The present study evaluated, monthly, from May 2007 to April 2008, several points of swine meat productive chain in slaughterhouses and butcheries from Sao Paulo state. It were evaluated the environments of visited establishments and samples of tongues, tonsils and pork cuts. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from all kinds of samples and the serotypes 4b, 1/2b, 1/2a and 1/2c were present. These isolates showed great similarity, even suggesting that there was persistence of the agent in the environment, according to the PFGE, reinforcing its potential of transmission to humans. Yersinia enterocolitica 4/ O:3 was exclusively detected in slaughterhouses, mainly in the animals, presenting therefore, low potential of transmission to humans. However, Yersinia enterocolitica 1A, considered no pathogenic, was isolated from all kinds of samples, and the majority presented virulence factors, suggesting that this observation should be better investigated. The results presented indicate the necessity of measures of control and prevention of agents dissemination, mainly of Listeria monocytogenes. (AU)