Investigating candidate factors influencing bovine spongiform encephalopathy brainstem sample quality in a beef abattoir

T.G. Kennedy

Investigating candidate factors influencing bovine spongiform encephalopathy brainstem sample quality in a beef abattoir

In: Industrial, medical and environmental applications of microorganisms

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T.G. Kennedy

T.G. Kennedy Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service, South Western Region, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Limerick, Ireland; tom.kennedy@agriculture.gov.iess

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 337–342

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086867950_059

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Obtaining the appropriate sample is critical to ensure bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) test result integrity. For BSE, this is the brainstem at the level of the obex – the area where abnormal prion protein (PrP) is most consistently deposited and fortuitously first detectable. Occasionally suboptimal samples (SO) occur where the obex is absent or unidentifiable, in which case negative results are questionable. The relationship between SO occurrence and factors such as animal age, breed category [dairy, beef breeds native to the British Isles and Continental beef breeds], gender, skinning method (upward or downward) and sampler identity (n=13) was investigated. A stepwise logistic regression model was applied to a dataset containing records of 23,646 animals sampled at the abattoir over a 2-year-period. Details relating to SO occurrence were obtained from laboratory reports. Details relating to the animal’s age and date of slaughter, gender and breed were obtained from the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland). Skinning method changed mid study. SO incidence was 0.26%. Results indicate that three individual samplers, bulls and native and continental beef breeds had a significant positive effect on SO occurrence (P<0.05). Age and skinning method were found not to have any significant effect. The results inform a basis for risk profiling animals prior to sampling. The importance of sampler training and motivation is also indicated. It is recommended that samplers perfect their technique by sampling animals younger than the statutory prescribed age prior to taking official samples. Suggestions to elaborate the current study are discussed.

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Industrial, medical and environmental applications of microorganisms

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E-Book ISBN:: 9789086867950

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 01 Nov 2014

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- Life Sciences

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Investigating candidate factors influencing bovine spongiform encephalopathy brainstem sample quality in a beef abattoir

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Industrial, medical and environmental applications of microorganisms

Current status and trends

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