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The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence and distribution of Salmonella species in selected meat and chicken products purchased from retail supermarkets in Assiut, Egypt. Atotal of 75 samples including 25 samples each of minced frozen beef, frozen chicken legs and frozen chicken fillets were collected over a 7-month period between January and July 2009 and examined for the presence of Salmonella species. In addition, 28 children stool cultures were collected from hospitalized children resident in Pediatric University Hospital with diarrhea or fever. Out of the total 75 meat samples examined, Salmonella was detected in 5 (20%) of minced frozen beef, 9 (36%) of frozen chicken leg and 13 (52%) of frozen chicken fillet samples analyzed. Regarding the examined 28 children stool cultures, 3 (10.71 %) were found Salmonella positive. Of the total 30 Salmonella positive samples from all examined samples, five selected Salmonella isolates were further identified using multiplex PCR (m-PCR). Two serovars were the dominant serovar identified was Salmonella entrica subsp. entrica serovar Enteritidis (2 chicken leg isolates and 2 chicken breast fillets) followed by Salmonella entrica subsp. entrica serovar Kentucky (one minced beef isolate). The public health hazards of Salmonella were discussed and the suggestive measures to protect the consumers and improve the quality of meat and chicken products were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research was conducted to check the presence of Listeria spp. in some meat and chicken products purchased from retail supermarkets in Assiut (Egypt). A total of 100 samples including 25 samples each of minced frozen beef, luncheon, frozen chicken legs and frozen chicken breast fillets were collected over a 7-month period between January and July 2009 and analyzed for the presence of Listeria spp. In addition, 28 stool cultures examined for Listeria spp. from hospitalized children resident in Assiut Pediatric University Hospital with diarrhea or fever. Out of the total 100 meat samples examined, Listeria spp. were detected in 8 (32%) of minced frozen beef, 8 (32%) of luncheon, 13 (52%) of frozen chicken leg and 14 (56%) of frozen chicken fillet samples analyzed, respectively. Regarding the examined 28 stool cultures from hospitalized children with underlying disease in Assiut Univ. hospital, 2 (7.14%) were found positive for Listeria spp. For identification of L. monocytogenes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), two primers were selected to detect 217-pb fragment ofthe prfA (transcriptional activator of the virulence factor) gene for L. monocytogenes. 13 selected Listeria isolates displayed beta-haemolysis on sheep blood agar and positive CAMP test were further identified using PCR. PCR results showed that L. monocytogenes were confirmed in one of minced imported frozen meat examined, two of luncheon samples and two of frozen chicken legs with the total incidence of 5 isolates (5%) from the total 100 examined food samples. This suggests the presence of a significant public health hazard linked to the consumption of these meat and chicken products sold in Assiut city contaminated with L. monocytogenes. The public health significance of these pathogens as well as recommended sanitary measures was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes contaminating egg shells and contents of table eggs sold in Assiut city, Egypt. A total of 300 fresh table eggs were collected randomly from different markets in which every 3 eggs from each market were represented as one egg pooled sample. Each of egg shell and content was subjected to procedures of isolation of L. monocytogenes followed by PCR assay for the prfA gene for identification. It was found that egg shells were contaminated by 7% while none of egg contents were contaminated, concluding that egg shell was more subjected to contamination with L. monocytogenes than egg content. The obtained results revealed the degree of contamination and public health hazard in the surroundings contacting eggs until reaching the markets and consequently the consumers. It can be concluded that it was uncomfortable result to find L. monocytogenes by this degree of contamination in table eggs and how extent the zoonotic view is meaningful. Future control strategies need to consider variations in the epidemiologies of food-borne zoonotic infections, and apply a quantitative risk analysis approach to ensure that the most cost-effective programs are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]