Use of plasmid profiles to detect changes in strains of Staphylococcus aureus during poultry processing |
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| Authors: | C.E.R. Dodd,,B.W. Adams, ,G.C. Mead,&dagger W.M. Waites |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK;AFRC Food Research Institute, Bristol Laboratory, Landord, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK |
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| Abstract: | The plasmid profiles of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated at different stages in three poultry processing plants have been examined. Changes in profiles were seen in two plants after the plucking stage and the appearance of these new profiles correlated with the presence of an endemic strain, as suggested previously by increases in bacterial counts and changes in biotypes at the same stage. A third plant in which such changes did not occur showed no change in profiles. Plasmid profiles are therefore a rapid and sensitive method for distinguishing endemic strains within a plant from the flora of the incoming birds. Certain profiles also appeared to correspond with particular biotypes and certain phage types. |
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