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<OL> <LI>This research will quantify the level of Salmonella on hogs at the following stages of processing: a) skin soon after stunning and exsanguination, b) post-singed carcasses, and c) final carcasses. <LI>Each sample will be assayed to determine prevalence of Salmonella. <LI> A positive Salmonella sample will be serotyped and the antibiotic susceptibilities will be determined.
Approach: Sample collection: During each season (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring), 200 carcasses will be randomly sampled using a prewetted sponge at each of three sampling sites (skin soon after stunning and exsanguination, post-singeing carcasses, and final carcasses). All samples will be enumerated for Salmonella using spiral plate enumeration for skin samples and Hydrophobic Grid Membrane Analysis for post-singed and final carcasses. Sponge samples from all three sampling locations within each plant will be enriched and tested for the presence of Salmonella to determine prevalence. The serotypes of each Salmonella isolate from skin, post-singed, and final carcasses will be determined using PCR and antisera for specific O groups and flagellar antigens. The Salmonella isolated will be tested to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile according to National Antimicrobial/Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) protocols using Sensitire antimicrobial susceptibility plates (CMV1AGNF).