Listeria monocytogenes en canales de bovinos Cebú en una planta de sacrificio de la Sabana de Bogotá (Colombia)

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive cocobacillus that has been isolated from soil, water, vegetables, raw milk, meat and meat byproducts. This micro-organism has been considered an important problem of public health especially in immudepressed and elderly people, children and pregnant women. Previous studies made in Colombia have demonstrated the presence of the micro-organism in milk and crude cheeses, as well as in milk cow conglomerates and Holstein carcasses. With the purpose of continuing the studies related to the epidemiology of the disease and its importance in public health, the actual work was made to determine the presence of L. monocytogenes in carcases of Cebu cattle, in a slaughterhouse of the Savannah of Bogota (Colombia). Of a population of 1600 animals slaughtered in a period of two months, 120 were examined. The samples were taken of four different points (hip, skirt, chest and neck), obtaining ten (8.33%) carcases contaminated with L. monocytogenes, demonstrating the high risk of the consumption of contaminated meat for the population. To prevent contamination with L. monocytogenes of carcasses destined to human consumption, it is necessary to establish Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans at farm level for animals bred for slaughter and, previous to and during the process of sacrifice.