Prevalence, genetic characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from fresh pork sausages in Porto Alegre, Brazil

A total of 336 samples of fresh pork sausage randomly obtained from supermarkets and butcher shops in Porto Alegre, Brazil, were examined for the presence of Salmonella serovars. Salmonella enterica was detected in 82 (24.4%) of the samples, with a most probable number count ranging from 0.03 MPN g(-1) to 460 MPN g(-1). Strains belonging to the most isolated S. enterica serovars (Brandenburg, Panama, Derby and Typhimurium) were further characterized by Xbal-macrorestriction, resulting in a total of 17 profiles. Resistance to tetracycline was the most prevalent among the Salmonella isolates. S. panama and S. typhimurium presented the greatest number of resistance phenotypes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.