the prevalence of escherichia coli o157:h7, listeria monocytogenes and campylobacter spp. on bovine carcasses in isfahan, iran

this study was carried out to determine the prevalence of foodborne pathogens, escherichia coli, e. coli o157:h7, listeria monocytogenes and campylobacter spp. on slaughtered cattle in isfahan, iran. a total of 203 cattle carcasses were sampled by surface section of neck meat taken immediately after slaughter and analyzed using microbiological examinations. suspected colonies to e. coli o157:h7 were confirmed by a specific polymerase chain reaction method (pcr). the results showed that the contamination rate of samples to e. coli and e. coli o157:h7 were 42.4 and 6.4%, respectively. seasonal distribution showed that the highest prevalence of e. coli and e. coli o157:h7 occurred in summer samples. six carcasses carried l. monocytogenes whereas campylobacter spp. were not detected on any carcasses. the results indicated that prevalence of e. coli and e. coli o157:h7 was high on bovine carcasses in isfahan. this condition should be considered as a probable hazard for human health.