The detection of arthritis in pigs in an abattoir and its public health significance.
The results of a study of the prevalence in each joint of arthritis in pigs as detected by meat inspectors is presented. A prevalence of arthritis in 1.07% of carcases was obtained, of which 0.28% were condemned totally and 0.79% condemned partially. With partial condemnations there was a bias to the left side in the hindquarters, and a significant bias to the hindquarter as compared with the forequarter. A consequence was that undetected arthritis lesions, especially in the forequarter and probably containing viable Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, are finding their way to the consumer.
D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001315:Australia; D004889:Erysipelothrix Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005513:Food Inspection; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013554:Swine Erysipelas / Q000175:diagnosis*