[Salmonella in eviscerated chickens from processing plants of greater Buenos Aires]

Thirty-five samples of eviscerated poultry from processing plants in greater Buenos Aires were examined for the presence of Salmonella. Eighteen samples (51.2%) were found to be contaminated with salmonellae on testing with the non-destructive rinse method. Out of 7 plants investigated, 6 exhibited the presence of Salmonella in the product. A total of 6 confirmed species were found, S. infantis being the most frequently isolated. Rappaport-Vassiliadis and Tetrathionate-Brilliant Green broths were used as enrichment media, combined with Bismuth Sulphite or Brilliant Green-Phenol Red-Lactose-Sucrose-Deoxycholate agars as isolations media. The combination Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth and Bismuth Sulphite agar, was the only one that allowed the detection of all positive samples, including the six confirmed Salmonella species. Taking in to account the percentage of presumed colonies that were later confirmed, the Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth/Bismuth Sulphite agar proved the most specific.