Abstract

Background:
The lack of modern slaughtering establishments and unsanitary practices can result in excessive microbial contamination of carcasses, posing health risks and causing economic losses.

Aim:
This study aimed to identify the numerous genera of bacteria that contaminated beef carcasses and estimate their percentages using a culture method and confirmation using the Vitek 2 methodology.

Methods:
This study included 96 swabs collected from beef carcasses after final wash at a slaughterhouse in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, between October and November 2023. All samples were grown on different media for 24 h at 37 °C to assess their phenotypic characteristics of colonies.

Results:
All samples contained aerobic bacteria (100%). Our data revealed several genera in beef carcasses. Of the 96 samples, 23 (23.9%) were positive for the beef microbiological profile (coliform bacilli and opportunistic pathogens). Seven genera were isolated and verified using the Vitek2 Compact System. E. coli had the most isolates (9.4%). C. freundii and A. hydrophila were the most common isolates (3 each) (3.1% respectively). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus mirabilis were isolated from beef carcasses at the rate of two isolates each (2.1%). Pluralibacter gergoviae and Serratia ficaria had one isolate in each of the beef carcass samples (1%, respectively).

Conclusion:
In our investigation, the quantity of bacteria in beef carcasses was generally acceptable, indicating commitment to the slaughterhouse’s food safety guidelines.

Key words: Opportunistic pathogens, Coliform bacilli, VITEK 2 system, Mosul abattoir