Salmonella Serotypes Isolated from Beef Carcass Samples from Eswatini

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella serovars isolated in beef carcasses slaughtered in Eswatini from 2017 to 2020.

Methods: Data analysed was officially recorded microbiological data from 2017 to 2020. Sterile broth moistened swabs were used aseptically to obtain carcass swab samples by using the non-destructive carcass sampling method. The method required that bacteriological sampling of carcasses be undertaken in the slaughterhouse without obtaining pieces of tissue samples from the sampling sites.

Results: A total of 1095 swab samples were analysed for Salmonella spp. A total of 25 Salmonella serovar isolates were identified during the study period. The predominant serovar was Salmonella Shwarzengrund (N=14; 56%). The second most frequently detected serovar was Salmonella Heidelberg (N=5; 20%). In addition, six other serovars were isolated and identified on carcasses. Each with a mean frequency of occurrence on the carcasses of N=1(4%).

Conclusion: This preliminary study has shown that various Salmonella serovars are present on beef carcasses slaughtered in Eswatini. About 25 Salmonella serovars were detected during the study period with the most prevalent being S. shwarzengrund and S. heidelberg. It is recommended that further studies should be carried out to determine the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella strains on beef carcasses in Eswatini.