Slaughter condemnation in bovine due to parasitic lesions and their economic impact in Federal Inspection System establishments in Brazil and in State inspection System in Rio Grande do Sul State

Condemnation of bovine carcasses due to tuberculosis-gross lesions in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Associated risk factors

Surveillance of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) lesions in animals at slaughterhouses is useful for controlling and eradicating the disease, besides providing epidemiological information. This study aimed to identify risk factors for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) condemnation in cattle at slaughterhouses in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A logistic regression analysis was conducted using data on bTB-related condemnations. Variables examined included animal origin, number of slaughtered animals, season, inspection level (state or municipality), animal sex, and slaughterhouse location. A total of 297,817 Animal Transport Guides were evaluated, representing the transportation of 3497,521 animals. Among these, 6097 (2.05%) had at least one animal condemned due to bTB lesions. Risk factors for condemnation included larger batch sizes, female animals, slaughterhouses, and animal origin. The higher condemnation frequency in females and regions with dairy farms suggests links to milk production. Variation in condemnation rates by inspection level and slaughterhouse highlights the need for standardized procedures in identifying bTB lesions. Identifying these risk factors enables targeted interventions to enhance disease control and eradication efforts.

Sarcocyst Quantification and Viability: Freezing Treatment as an Alternative to Carcass Condemnation

PURPOSE

The inspection of animal products is important for controlling parasitic zoonoses. Some processes that guarantee food safety to consumers such as carcass condemnation cause economic losses. This study aimed to detect Sarcocystis cysts in cattle hearts obtained from slaughterhouses and to evaluate sarcocyst viability after freezing treatment.

METHODS

When myocardial tissues were minced and subjected to fresh examination, sarcocysts were observed in all analyzed tissues resulting in 21.73 cysts/g of tissue. Sarcocyst viability was verified after tissue freezing at 35 ± 2 °C and - 20 ± 2 °C for 0-12 h. After freezing, the tissues were minced, and sarcocysts were collected and stained with Tripan Blue. In addition, cysts were mechanically disrupted to check bradyzoite viability.

RESULTS

Cysts and bradyzoites were unviable at - 35 °C for ≥ 3 h and - 20 °C for ≥ 8 h.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest freezing treatment as an alternative to condemnation of cattle carcasses contaminated with Sarcocystis spp. Similar studies using freezing treatment with other animals infected by Sarcocystis must be conducted.