Assessment of beef carcass contamination with Salmonella and E. coli O 157 in slaughterhouses in Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Salmonella and E. coli O157 are common causes of foodborne diseases. Evisceration de-hiding steps can lead to carcass contamination during slaughter operation. In Ethiopia, information on the association between presence these pathogens in rectal content and/or hide cattle their is lacking. Methods The aim this study was assess sources beef with slaughter. Rectal contents hide- carcass-swabs (from three sites: foreleg, brisket hind leg) were collected from 70 at two small scale slaughterhouses. Isolates genotyped by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis method tested for resistance against 14 microbial drugs. Results detected equal proportions (7.1%) samples swabs. 8.6% 4.3% proportion contaminated carcasses 7.1% O157. Genetic linkage isolates hides observed only a few cases (2 1 carcasses, respectively) indicating limited direct transfer feces Most became positive cross contamination. All S. Typhimurium ( n = 8) multidrug resistant being ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole tetracycline. Dublin colistin. susceptible antimicrobials tested. Conclusion results indicated that may be an important source