陕西省某活鸡屠宰场肉鸡相关样品中沙门菌定量检测及污染分析

目的了解肉鸡屠宰加工中不同时间和环节沙门菌的污染情况,分析污染关键点。方法 2016年11月至2017年11月从陕西省某活鸡屠宰场不同环节定期采集活鸡肛拭子标本、整鸡胴体和鸡肉样品,使用最大可能数(MPN)法对沙门菌进行定量检测,同时分离菌株;采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)技术对沙门菌进行鉴定,同时结合血清凝集技术对沙门菌鉴定结果进行确认。结果采集的284份样品中有67份检出沙门菌,检出率为23. 6%,平均MPN值为0. 051 6 MPN/g。2017年7月采集的样品沙门菌污染最为严重,检出率为37. 8%(14/37),平均MPN值为0. 064 7 MPN/g; 2016年11月检出率最低,为13. 9%(5/36),平均MPN值为0. 043 6 MPN/g。不同屠宰环节中,浸烫褪毛后整鸡胴体样品中沙门菌检出率最高(43. 3%,26/60),平均MPN值为0. 060 5 MPN/g;分割后冷冻前鸡胸脯肉样品中沙门菌检出率最低(18. 3%,11/60),平均MPN值为0. 036 8 MPN/g,略高于储存配送过程整鸡胴体/鸡胸脯肉样品中沙门菌的污染水平(0. 035 8 MPN/g)。结论活鸡屠宰过程沙门菌的检出率与MPN值具有较强的季节性,在不同屠宰加工环节存在纵向和交叉污染,应对活鸡屠宰加工过程沙门菌污染严重的环节进行重点控制。     

2011—2012年山东淄博市肉鸡屠宰场沙门菌污染情况分析

目的 调查肉鸡屠宰场加工环节中沙门菌的污染状况。方法 采集肉鸡屠宰场的入厂活鸡肛拭子样本,宰杀褪毛后整禽样本、预冷后整禽样本、预冷池水、分割刀具和案板、冷冻鸡肉样本以及工人手涂抹样本,按《食源性致病菌监测工作手册》方法检测沙门菌。结果 2011—2012年共检测样品896份,检出沙门菌293株,检出率为32.7%;鸡胴体的检出率高于鸡活体。2011年沙门菌优势血清型为印第安纳沙门菌、鼠伤寒沙门菌和肠炎沙门菌,2012年优势血清型为印第安纳沙门菌、肠炎沙门菌。宰杀后样品中印第安纳沙门菌的构成比有所下降,而鼠伤寒、肠炎等其他优势血清型的构成比相对增加。结论 沙门菌广泛存在于屠宰场各环节样品中,宰杀环节易导致沙门菌的交叉污染。     

温州市食品中沙门菌污染状况及特征分析

目的了解温州市食品中沙门菌的污染状况,分析分离的沙门菌血清型分布、耐药性及脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)分子分型特征。方法依据GB 4789.4—2016《食品安全国家标准食品微生物学检验沙门氏菌检验》进行菌株分离鉴定及血清学分型,采用微量肉汤稀释法进行药敏试验,PFGE法进行分子分型。结果 6类食品2 039份样品中,37份样品检出沙门菌,检出率为1.8%,其中生禽肉和生畜肉检出率较高,分别为6.9%(20/290)和3.4%(10/290)。37株沙门菌分属16种血清型,居前三位分别为鼠伤寒沙门菌、德尔卑沙门菌和肠炎沙门菌。81.1%(30/37)的菌株对17种抗生素产生不同程度的耐药,呈现24种耐药谱,多重耐药率为56.8%(21/37)。PFGE图谱分为31种PFGE带型,呈多态性。结论沙门菌在温州市食品中存在一定的污染率,耐药情况形式严峻,PFGE图谱的聚集性与沙门菌的血清型有一定的联系,与耐药谱之间的关联性并不明确。     

2010年江苏省肉鸡沙门菌污染专项监测分析

目的了解肉鸡养殖和屠宰过程中沙门菌的污染状况,为确定从生产到销售各环节沙门菌分布和疾病可能传染源、制定公共卫生措施并评价其有效性提供科学依据。方法按照《全国食源性致病菌监测工作手册》中专项监测的采样和实验室检测要求,2010年共采集活体肉鸡肛拭样本210份,胴体样本204份,监测沙门菌污染情况。结果肛拭样本检出沙门菌23份,检出率10.95%;胴体样本检出沙门菌71份,检出率34.80%。两类样本的血清学分型构成比不同(χ2=15.7,P<0.001),肛拭样本检出的23株沙门菌中有22株印第安纳沙门菌,胴体样本中检出的71株沙门菌中有35株为印第安纳沙门菌,22株为奥尔巴尼沙门菌。结论肉鸡活体肛拭和胴体样本沙门菌检出率差异有统计学意义(χ2=33.5,P<0.001),胴体高于活体检出率,活体和胴体的沙门菌来源不同,胴体可能存在交叉污染。     

宁波市河水环境中沙门菌分布特征和耐药性

目的了解宁波市人工河水环境中沙门菌的血清型分布特征及耐药情况,为预防、控制相应食源性疾病发生提供科学根据。方法对河水样品进行离心浓缩、蛋白胨水增菌液增菌、亚硒酸盐胱氨酸增菌液选择性增菌和沙门菌显色平板分离沙门菌,对分离菌株采用系统生化和血清凝集进行鉴定,并采用纸片法检测菌株对8种抗生素的耐药性,对多重耐药菌株和耐β-内酰胺类抗生素菌株扩增主要相关耐药基因。结果 2014年1月至2015年12月,共采集48份河水样品,分离沙门菌株105株,主要血清型为鼠伤寒(26株)、德尔卑(14株)、里森(8株)、肠炎(4株)、阿贡纳(4株)、斯坦利(4株)、阿格玛(4株),其他及未分型沙门菌41株。70株(66.7%)耐至少一种抗生素,对抗生素的耐药率分别为氨苄西林53.3%、四环素42.9%、甲氧苄啶-磺胺甲恶唑32.4%、庆大霉素11.4%、环丙沙星4.8%、头孢噻肟4.8%和产超广谱β-内酰胺酶4.8%。β-内酰胺类抗生素相关耐药基因为TEM型(n=52)、OXA型(n=6)和CTX-M型(n=3),58.1%的菌株1类整合子基因阳性。结论人工河水环境中沙门菌检出率较高,且部分血清型为重要的食源性致病菌,检出菌也有较高的耐药性,携带多种耐药基因,提示食源性疾病防控中需关注环境细菌的危害。     

台州市食源性沙门菌耐药性、毒力因子及分子分型研究

目的 了解台州市食品中分离的沙门菌耐药性、毒力因子以及基因分型情况,建立食源性沙门菌的分子特征本底信息,为食源性疾病的防治提供技术支撑.方法 对近几年从食品中分离的22株沙门菌进行12种抗生素药敏试验、10种毒力基因PCR检测、脉冲电场凝胶电泳(PFGE)基因分型,用BioNumerics 5.0软件对分型数据进行聚类分析.结果 22株食源性沙门菌的总耐药率为59.1％,耐药率居前三位的抗生素分别是复方新诺明(36％)、四环素(27％)、萘啶酸(27％);所有菌株均检出6种以上毒力因子,1株肠炎沙门菌存在毒力岛、质粒及噬菌体等多种毒力因子;PFGE分型共得到21个条带,可分为5个基因型别,包括18种指纹图谱,各基因型别间同源性小于70％.结论 台州市食源性沙门菌存在致病风险,建立的指纹图谱数据库可为食源性疾病的防治提供技术支持.     

开封市畜禽沙门菌污染状况及血清学鉴定分析

了解开封市畜禽肉中沙门菌的污染状况及血清学分布,为沙门菌引起的食源性疾病的防控提供依据。方法 依据GB 4789.4—2010《中华人民共和国国家标准食品卫生微生物学检验方法》和2011年国家食源性疾病监测网监测方案,定期对开封市畜禽养殖场和屠宰场进行随机采样监测。结果 在691份样品中,沙门菌检出率为35.9%(248/691);分离出沙门菌253株,有17个血清型。结论 开封市生鸡肉和生猪肉不同程度受到沙门菌的污染,以生鸡肉污染最严重。应加强禽畜类养殖、屠宰加工等过程的卫生监管,减少食源性疾病的发生。     

江西省食源性沙门菌血清分型及脉冲场凝胶电泳指纹图谱研究

研究江西省食源性沙门菌的血清型,用脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)方法对优势血清型进行分子分型,建立江西省食源性沙门菌PFGE指纹图谱资料库,为食源性疾病溯源提供数据。方法 对136株食源性沙门菌进行血清分型,对其中优势血清型德尔卑沙门菌菌株进行PFGE分型,获得分子分型指纹图谱,运用Bionumerics v6.6软件进行聚类分析。结果 136株沙门菌分离株血清群以B群为主,优势血清型主要是德尔卑沙门菌(49.26%),67株德尔卑沙门菌可分为41个型别的PFGE指纹图谱(相似值100%的为同一PFGE型别),主要集中在3个型别中。结论 江西省食源性沙门菌血清型分布呈多样性,优势血清型是德尔卑沙门菌,生肉制品是其主要的来源,同种血清型别的PFGE指纹图谱无相关性。     

市售活鸡和腹泻患者中非伤寒沙门菌分子特征和耐药性研究

分析市售活鸡及腹泻患者中非伤寒沙门菌的分子特征的相似性及耐药性,预防沙门菌的感染流行。方法 收集2012年1月—2013年10月从1 054份腹泻患者粪便样品及440份农贸市场的活鸡肛拭子中分离出的非伤寒沙门菌株93株,进行血清分型,对常见的非伤寒沙门菌采用脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)进行分子分型、Bionumerisc v4.0进行聚类分析、纸片扩散法(K-B法)进行药物敏感性试验。结果 1 054份腹泻样品中共检出非伤寒沙门菌88株,分离率为8.35%,分为25种血清型,肠炎沙门菌居多。其中0～2岁的婴幼儿检出率较高,占52.27%(46/88)。PFGE结果:16株肠炎沙门菌分成14个PFGE型、12株斯坦利沙门菌分成11个PFGE型、14株鼠伤寒沙门菌分成14个PFGE型、6株德尔卑沙门菌分成5个PFGE型;对菌株间的相似性进行比较发现两个100%同源的肠炎沙门菌PFGE型,其他菌株的分子特征的相似性不大,鸡源菌株与人源菌株的分子特征相似性不大;对12种抗菌药物的耐药率在50%以下,不同的血清型耐药率各不相同,耐药较严重的为德尔卑沙门菌。440份活体鸡肛拭子分离出的非伤寒沙门菌5株,分离率为1.14%,共分得4种血清型,其中姆班达卡沙门菌病人中未检出。结论 该地区由非伤寒沙门菌引起腹泻的感染率高,尤以婴幼儿多见,患者与鸡未发现有同一克隆株,对常用抗生素有很好的敏感性。     

北京市食源性非伤寒沙门菌的分子分型和耐药性研究

目的了解北京市食源性非伤寒沙门菌的分子特征及耐药情况。方法对2004—2010年北京市食源性致病菌监测网收集的100株沙门菌进行脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)分型和抗生素敏感性检测。结果 100株非伤寒沙门菌通过PFGE分型分为62个不同的带型,每个带型包含1~11株菌。抗生素敏感性结果显示,100株菌中有55株菌表现为对至少1种抗生素耐药,其中多重耐药菌株15株。菌株对各抗生素的耐药率为萘啶酸40%、四环素30%、氯霉素15%、庆大霉素10%、甲氧苄啶/磺胺甲恶唑10%、环丙沙星9%、头孢西丁1%、头孢噻肟0%。结论沙门菌PFGE带型和耐药谱均与血清型存在很高的一致性。提示北京市食源性非伤寒沙门菌的耐药情况比较严重,开展对该菌分子分型与耐药特征分析的联合监测意义重大。     

Microbiological contamination of reindeer carcasses in different reindeer slaughterhouses

The microbiological contamination of reindeer carcasses was studied in 10 Finnish reindeer slaughterhouses. Six of the slaughterhouses were field slaughterhouses and four were plant slaughterhouses. In each slaughterhouse 11 to 30 carcasses were sampled, with abdomen, brisket, and foreleg as sampling sites. Sampling was performed immediately after slaughter, using a nondestructive swabbing method. The overall mean bacterial count of carcasses was 3.12+/-0.61 log CFU/cm2. The mean bacterial value of the carcasses and the bacterial counts of abdomen and brisket were significantly lower in field slaughterhouses than in plant slaughterhouses, suggesting that the controlled conditions of plant slaughterhouses do not necessarily improve the microbiological quality of reindeer carcasses. However, the highest bacterial contamination was found in a field slaughterhouse where the slaughter was performed after rain when the ground was without snow. Carcass contamination seemed to be increased by the use of an evisceration apron, the unnecessary washing of forelegs, and the unnecessary handling of carcasses with hands and arms.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated in chicken slaughterhouses in Northern Greece

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes recovered from chicken carcasses in slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. A total of 100 poultry samples (300 carcasses) were examined for Listeria spp. The samples were neck skin taken from four different slaughterhouses in Northern Greece. Forty samples were also taken from the environment of the slaughterhouses. Identification of L. monocytogenes was carried out by PCR and fingerprinting of the isolates by random amplified polymorphic DNA. L. monocytogenes strains isolated from chicken carcasses and from the environment of the slaughterhouses were also examined for antibiotic resistance. Fifty-five isolates of L. monocytogenes were tested for susceptibility to 20 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. Listeria spp. were present in 99 of the poultry samples tested (99%), and 38 yielded L monocytogenes (38%). L. monocytogenes was also isolated in 80% of samples from the environment of a certain slaughterhouse, while the other slaughterhouses were found to be contaminated only with Listeria spp. All isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid, the majority of them to clindamycin, and only a few to tetracycline and oxytetracycline, whereas they were found to be susceptible to all other antimicrobials. The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of L. monocytogenes contamination in chicken carcasses, and all isolates were found to be sensitive to the antimicrobials most commonly used to treat human listeriosis.     

Campylobacter contamination in broiler carcasses and correlation with slaughterhouses operational hygiene inspection

This study investigates factors associated with Campylobacter contamination of broiler carcasses, using survey data collected from nine Belgian slaughterhouses in 2008 in accordance with a European Union baseline study. Campylobacter were detected in 51.9% (202/389) (95% confidence interval, 46.8%-56.9%) of broiler carcasses. Campylobacter concentration was <10 CFU/g in 49.6% of carcasses, while 20.6% were contaminated with ≥1000 CFU/g. The mean Campylobacter concentration, as calculated by maximum likelihood estimation for left-censored data, was 1.8 log₁₀ CFU/g, with a standard deviation of 1.9 log₁₀ CFU/g. There was statistically significant variation among slaughterhouses in prevalence and concentrations of Campylobacter in their sampled carcasses. Campylobacter prevalence (but not concentrations) was positively associated with increase in broilers age. Both Campylobacter prevalence and concentration were significantly higher in carcasses sampled during June and September (but not in July and August) than carcasses sampled in January. We also investigated the correlation (Spearman’s rank correlation test) between the scores of official control inspections and Campylobacter prevalence for eight out of the nine slaughterhouses. The control inspections were routinely performed by the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, and the concluded inspection scores were used as a general numerical indicator for the status of operational hygiene and quality of management in the slaughterhouses. Ranking of slaughterhouses based on their inspection scores was statistically correlated (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = 0.857) with their ranking based on prevalence of Campylobacter. In the present study we demonstrate how the outcomes from a routine baseline survey could be coupled with other readily available data from national control authorities in order to enable a better insight over Campylobacter contamination status in broiler slaughterhouses. Findings from this work call for subsequent in-depth investigations on technical and hygiene management factors that could impact Campylobacter contamination across broiler slaughterhouses.     

Detection and characterization of Salmonella in lairage, on pig carcasses and intestines in five slaughterhouses

In this study, conducted at five slaughterhouses, individual pigs were sampled and followed up from stunning to cooling down of the carcasses. In this way, Salmonella prevalence and possible risk points were described. At the lairage area, pens were sampled using overshoes. At stunning and bleeding, pigs were individually identified and subsequently swabs were taken of the oral cavity and the carcass after polishing, splitting and forced chilling. Additionally, duodenum, ileum, rectum and mesenteric lymph nodes were extracted and samples were taken of the scalding water. All samples were submitted to Salmonella isolation and Salmonella isolates were serotyped and genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of all samples taken (n = 1953), 14.1% were Salmonella positive. The prevalence of S. in the lairage area varied widely (from 0 to 100%) between the slaughterhouses. Of the sampled pigs (n = 226), 48.2% were positive in at least one sample. Statistical analysis revealed that the contamination of the lairage area was related to a higher amount of positive carcasses after polishing. Furthermore, the contamination of the carcasses after splitting and forced chilling was related to the contamination level of the carcass after polishing. A relation between the outer (carcass) contamination and the inner (gut content and lymph nodes) contamination of a pig could not be established. The predominant serotypes were S. Typhimurium (58.7%) and S. Derby (17.4%). Genotyping revealed 46 different PFGE profiles among the 276 Salmonella isolates. The same genotype at the lairage area as in the oral cavity of the pigs was found in 95%. The results indicate that the lairage area is a primary source of Salmonella in slaughter pigs and that carcass contamination originates from the environment rather than from the pig (inner contamination) itself. It further shows that slaughterhouses vary in their capability of dealing with Salmonella positive pigs. A slaughterhouse specific approach is needed, however, general guidelines should be provided to decrease the contamination level of the lairage area and the slaughter environment.     

Prevalence of Salmonella isolates and antimicrobial resistance patterns in chicken meat throughout Japan

We investigated the prevalence of Salmonella in chicken meat from northern, central, and southern Japan. Between 2006 and 2008, 821 samples from these three regions were collected and examined. Salmonella isolates were detected in 164 (20.0%) of these samples, with 15 (10.0%) of 150, 113 (27.5%) of 411, and 36 (13.8%) of 260 recovered from the northern, central, and southern regions, respectively. We recovered 452 Salmonella isolates. From the isolates, 27 serovars were identified; the predominant serovars isolated were Salmonella Infantis (n=81), Salmonella Kalamu (n=56), and Salmonella Schwarzengrund (n=43). Of the 452 isolates, 443 (98.0%) were resistant to one or more antibiotics, and 221 (48.9%) showed multiple-antibiotic resistance, thereby implying that multiple-antibiotic resistant Salmonella organisms are widespread in chicken meat in Japan. Resistance to oxytetracycline was most common (72.6%), followed by dihydrostreptomycin (69.2%) and bicozamycin (49.1%). This study, the first to report Salmonella prevalence in chicken meat throughout Japan, could provide valuable data for monitoring and controlling Salmonella infection in the future.     

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from humans and chicken carcasses in Poland

Campylobacter-associated gastroenteritis remains an important cause of morbidity worldwide, and some evidence suggests that poultry is an important source of this foodborne infection in humans. This study was conducted to analyze the prevalence and genetic background of resistance of 149 Campylobacter jejuni and 54 Campylobacter coli strains isolated from broiler chicken carcasses and from stool samples of infected children in Poland from 2003 through 2005. Nearly all isolates were susceptible to macrolides and aminoglycosides. The highest resistance in both human and chicken strains was observed for ciprofloxacin (more than 40%), followed by ampicillin (13 to 21%), and tetracycline (8 to 29%). Resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline rose significantly between 2003 and 2005. Slight differences in resistance between human and chicken isolates indicate that although chicken meat is not the only source of Campylobacter infection in our population, it can be involved in the transmission of drug-resistant Campylobacter strains to humans.     

Effect of logistic slaughter on Salmonella contamination on pig carcasses

Previous studies have shown that infected pigs are the source of carcass and slaughterhouse environment contamination by Salmonella. The present study tried to evaluate the effect of a logistic slaughter, organised according to Salmonella seroprevalence, on Salmonella contamination on carcasses. The study was performed at the beginning of slaughtering during three consecutive days. Low risk herds (8 batches) were slaughtered on day I, high risk herds (6 batches) on day II, and finally, moderate risk herds (5 batches) were slaughtered on day III. Each slaughtering day, holding pens, five points of the slaughter line, and 80 carcasses were sampled. The number of positive carcasses on days I, II and III was 7 (8.8%), 5 (6.3%) and 19 (24.4%) respectively. The results evidenced no clear effect of the logistic slaughter on carcass contamination, with a three times higher risk of finding a positive carcass when moderate Salmonella risk batches were slaughtered. Carcass contamination in low risk herds was linked to the contamination of holding pens and the slaughter line activities. On the other hand, Salmonella was not detected in any of the sampled carcasses in three out of six high risk Salmonella batches, showing that proper slaughtering practices can prevent carcass contamination. The experience reported here, demonstrates that apart from an accurate batch separation according to their seroprevalence levels, strict measures for cleaning and disinfection in the lairage and the slaughterhouse facilities are needed when logistic slaughter is performed.     

零售生鸡肉中沙门菌污染对居民健康影响的暴露评估

目的评估零售生鸡肉中沙门菌污染的健康风险及其潜在的干预措施。方法利用零售生鸡肉中沙门菌定量监测数据以及零售和家庭生鸡肉储存加工专项调查结果,采用Monte Carlo概率评估方法,估计我国居民通过厨房内交叉污染发生鸡源性沙门菌食物中毒的风险,并评价潜在的干预措施效果。结果本研究构建了从零售到餐桌的生鸡肉-沙门菌交叉污染模型,模型估计生鸡肉经过零售储存、抵达居民家里和经过家庭储存后其沙门菌浓度(lg MPN/g)从零售前的-0.017,分别增长到2.163、2.241和3.028,估计我国居民每餐发生鸡源性沙门菌食物中毒的风险为0.171(95%置信区间:0.000~0.767),其中零售阶段生鸡肉的储存方式是影响发病风险的最重要因素(回归系数=0.72),情景分析提示,如果零售阶段采用冷冻或者冷藏储存,我国居民每餐发病风险可以降为0.031(95%置信区间:0.000~0.522)。结论我国居民鸡源性沙门菌食物中毒的风险较高,应当加强零售环节生鸡肉的冷链管理。     

Campylobacter contamination of broiler caeca and carcasses at the slaughterhouse and correlation with Salmonella contamination

In order to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. on broiler chicken carcasses and the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in caeca, 58 French slaughterhouses were investigated in 2008. Enumeration of Campylobacter spp. was also performed in order to study the relation between caeca and carcass contamination. A pool of 10 caeca and one carcass were collected from 425 different batches over a 12-month period in 2008. Salmonella was isolated on 32 carcasses leading to a prevalence of 7.5% ([5.0-10.0]_95%CI). The prevalence of Campylobacter was 77.2% ([73.2-81.2]_95%CI) in caeca and 87.5% ([84.4-90.7]_95%CI) on carcasses. No significant correlation was found between Campylobacter and Salmonella. Positive values of Campylobacter were normally distributed and the average level was 8.05 log₁₀ cfu/g ([7.94-8.16]_95%CI) in caeca and 2.39 cfu/g ([2.30-2.48]_95%CI) on carcasses. A positive correlation (r = 0.59) was found between the mean of Campylobacter in caeca and on carcasses (p < 0.001). Thus, carcasses from batches with Campylobacter-positive caeca had significantly (p < 0.001) higher numbers of Campylobacter per gram than batches with negative caeca. These results show that Campylobacter can be present in both matrices and reduction in caeca could be a possible way to reduce the amount of bacteria on carcasses. Of the 2504 identifications performed, 3 species of Campylobacter (Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari) were identified. The main species recovered were C. jejuni and C. coli, which were isolated in 55.3% and 44.5% of positive samples, respectively. These two species were equally represented in caeca but C. jejuni was the most frequently isolated on carcasses with 57.1% and 42.5% of positive carcasses for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively. This study underlines that target a reduction of Campylobacter on final products requires a decrease of contamination in caeca.     

Salmonella spp. on chicken carcasses in processing plants in Poland

Chickens at selected points in the slaughter process and after slaughter on the dressing line in poultry plants were sampled and analyzed for Salmonella. These chickens came from the northeast part of Poland. The examinations were carried out in quarters I, II, III, and IV of 1999. All the birds were determined to be healthy by a veterinary inspection. Swab samples were taken from the cloaca after stunning and from the skin surface and body cavity of the whole bird after evisceration, after rinsing at the final rinse station but before chilling in the spin-chiller, and after cooling in the continuous cooling plant at the end of the production day. In 1999, 400 whole chickens were examined. The percentage of these 400 chickens from which Salmonella spp. were isolated was relatively high (23.75%; Salmonella-positive results were observed in 95 cases). Salmonella spp. were found after stunning in 6% of the chickens (6 of 100 samples), after evisceration in 24% (24 of 100), before cooling in 52% (52 of 100), and after cooling in 13% (13 of 100). These results show that Salmonella spp. were found more often at some processing points than at others. The lowest Salmonella spp. contamination rate (6%) for slaughter birds was found after stunning, and the highest contamination rate was found before chilling (52%). The serological types of Salmonella spp. isolated from whole chickens were Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Saintpaul, Salmonella Agona, and Salmonella Infantis. The results of these investigations indicate that Salmonella Enteritidis is the dominant serological type in infections of slaughter chickens, as it is in many countries.