title: Foodborne pathogens in in-line milk filters and associated on-farm risk factors in dairy farms authorized to produce and sell raw milk in northern Italy.
abstract: All dairy farms authorized to produce and sell raw milk in a province of Northern Italy were investigated to determine the presence of Campylobacter spp., verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. in in-line  milk filters and to assess their association with suspected risk factors on farms. A logistic regression model was used to analyze data collected describing the characteristics and management practices of 27 farms and the microbiological status of 378 in-line milk filters by both culture-based  and molecular methods. Thermotolerant Campylobacter, VTEC, and L. monocytogenes were detected in 24 (6.45%), 32 (8.4%), and 2 (0.5%) samples, respectively. No Salmonella spp. were detected. For risk analysis, data of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were  not included in the model because of the low prevalence or absence of these organisms. The univariate analysis disclosed that the presence of VTEC and/or Campylobacter spp. in milk filters was associated with lack of cleanliness of bedding, water trough, and feed trough; nonevaluation  of water hardness; lack of cleanliness of milk tank; and nonapplication of forestripping. After multivariate analysis, an association was observed with inadequate cleanliness of bedding and milk tank and the nonapplication of forestripping. PCR analysis of milk filters was a rapid and sensitive  method for the microbiological evaluation of herd contamination status and should be included among the registration requirements for the authorization to produce and sell raw milk. Specific control actions must be incorporated into the farmer's daily practices to ensure the low-risk production of raw milk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serraino
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finazzi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Daminelli
authors.forename: Marina Nadia
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Losio
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonilauri
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arrigoni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garigliani
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Raffaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riu
authors.forename: Renato Giulio
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Zanoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002417:Cattle; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016015:Logistic Models; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012475:Salmonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification