The slaughterhouse as an epidemiological observatory: analysis of inspection data from a pig abattoir serving North and Central Italy

Background: inspection at the slaughterhouse is fundamental to ensure meat safety and as an animal health and welfare surveillance tool. However, the systematic use of inspection data for epidemiological surveillance is not frequently implemented in the European Union. Objective: to evaluate the causes of total and partial condemnation in a commercial pig slaughterhouse in Tuscany, Central Italy. Materials and Methods: inspection data recorded by the Official Veterinarians over the last 3 years (2016-2018) were analysed to assess the total number of slaughtered pigs and the total number and causes of condemnation of whole carcasses and organs. Results: 384701 pigs from 6 different regions of North and Central Italy were slaughtered. Totally 108 carcasses were condemned (0.03%), mainly due to swine erysipelas (49.1%) and generalized jaundice (21.3%). In the remaining cases (29.6%) generalized abscesses, organoleptic alterations, peritonitis and enteritis were reported. Moreover, 181 carcasses were seized due to death during transport. As regards partial condemnations, the most commonly seized organ was the liver (condemned in around 29% of the pigs), followed by lungs (13%), heart (5.2%) and kidney (1.2%). Main reasons for condemnations were: parasitic hepatitis, perihepatitis and pericarditis for the liver; pneumonia, pleurisy and polyserositis for lungs; pericarditis, polyserositis and pleural pneumonia for the heart and polycystic kidney, nephritis and hydronephrosis for kidneys. Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that partial condemnations were much more common than total ones and agree with similar studies, confirming the liver as the most commonly condemned organ, largely due to parasitic hepatitis. Data confirm the pivotal role of the slaughterhouse as an epidemiological observatory and of the Official Veterinaries in protecting consumers’ health. Perspectives: The systematic analysis of meat inspection data will be enlarged to previous years to reinforce epidemiological outcomes. Patterns related to the geographical origin and seasonal trends will also be investigated.