SOLUTIONS FOR THE FOOD SAFETY THREAT POSED BY SALMONELLA IN THE LYMPH NODES OF CATTLE PRESENTED FOR HARVEST

Bovine peripheral lymph nodes, including subiliac lymph nodes, have been identified as a potential source of Salmonella, when trim containing these nodes is incorporated into ground beef. In order to gain a better understanding of the potential risk to human health imposed by Salmonella harborage in subiliac lymph nodes of fed and cull cattle at harvest, it is important to characterize the variation in regional, seasonal, and animal-type burden of Salmonella in these tissues. In the proposed study, we will examine the biology, epidemiology and ecology of Salmonella in bovine lymph nodes. The information gathered in these studies will be used to explore candidate control strategies and identify those that are most successful and adoptable.