Evaluation of sampling methods to assess the microbiological status of cattle hides

摘要

The study focused on the performance of selected sampling methods for recovery of: (a) marker-organism (nalidixic acid resistant E coli K12) topically inoculated onto hide of experimental cattle (to achieve >6 log(10) CFU/cm(2)), and (b) naturally occurring microflora from hide of experimental cattle. Recoveries of bacteria by each of five consecutive passes using wet sponge swabbing of the hide was determined, and compared with bacteria remaining on the hair (recovered by taking hair-clippings). These results showed that: (i) the highest recovery (5.52 log(10)) CFU/cm(2)) of the topically inoculated marker organism was achieved by the first pass of the wet sponge swabbing technique, (ii) significant levels of the marker organism (5.15 log(10)) CFU/cm(2)) remained on the hair even after five consecutive swabbing passes, and (iii) the highest recovery of natural flora (from non-inoculated hide) was achieved by the hair-clipping sampling technique.