Prevalence of Salmonella spp, and Yersinia enterocolitica in finishing swine at Canadian abattoirs

The prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica in finishing swine was evaluated using samples of cecal material. Samples were taken at six different slaughterhouses from 1420 healthy, 5-month-old pigs, raised b y 223 producers in Quebec (1009 samples), Ontario (283), and Manitoba, Cana da (128). Two different broth media (Rappaport-Vassiliadis and Tetrathionat e brilliant green) were used for the selective enrichment of Salmonella spp . The recovery of Y. enterocolitica was done by a cold enrichment technique , followed by plating on a selective media (cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin a gar). Prevalence (with a 95% confidence interval) of Salmonella spp. and Y. enterocolitica were, respectively, 5.2% (4.0 to 6.4%) and 20.9% (18.8 to 2 3.0%). Overall, 24.6% of the animals tested were positive for one or both o f these pathogens. Since only a few herds (2.8%) appeared to be highly cont aminated by Salmonella spp., efforts should be undertaken in priority to co ntrol this pathogen in those herds.