title: Quality Control of Trichinella Testing at the Slaughterhouse Laboratory: Evaluation of the Use of a 400-Micrometer-Mesh-Size Sieve in the Magnetic Stirrer Method.
abstract: The performance of a 400-μm-mesh-size sieve (sieve400) has not previously been compared with that of a 180-μm-mesh-size sieve (sieve180). Using pork samples spiked with 0 to 10 Trichinella muscle larvae and an artificial digestion method, sieve performance was evaluated for control of Trichinella in meat-producing animals. The use of a sieve400 resulted in 12% lower larval counts, 147% more debris, and 28% longer counting times compared with the use of a sieve180. Although no false-negative results were obtained, prolonged counting times with the sieve400 may have an impact on performance in a high-throughput environment such as a slaughterhouse laboratory. Based on our results, the sieve180 remains the sieve of choice for Trichinella control in meat in slaughterhouse laboratories, according to the European Union reference method (European Commission regulation 2075/2005). Furthermore, the results of the present study contribute to the discussion of harmonization of meat inspection requirements among countries.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. frits.franssen@rivm.nl.
authors.forename: Frits
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franssen
authors.affiliation: Eurofins, KBBL BV, 8131 VZ Wijhe, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Andel
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Giessen
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D005062:European Union; D016266:Food Parasitology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D007753:Laboratories; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis / Q000469:parasitology*; D011786:Quality Control; D013552:Swine; D014234:Trichinella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*