Farm and abattoir sources of Carnobacterium species and implications for lamb meat spoilage

A sheep farm level survey of Carnobacterium, consisting of environmental and animal associated (pelts and recto-anal) samples, was carried out on two farms. A further 20 lamb carcass samples were taken from an abattoir servicing one of the farms. Overall, 29 isolates of C. maltaromaticum and one isolate of Carnobacterium inihibens were identified. The majority of C. maltaromaticum isolates were associated with lamb pelts followed by hard sheep contact surfaces, RAMS and carcasses. No C. maltaromaticum isolates were identified in mud, faeces and water. The C. inihibens isolate was sourced from tree bark in a sheep hang out area. ERIC-PCR profiling revealed 4 distinct ERIC types. Each ERIC type was found on both farms and three were found on lamb carcasses, suggesting a possible transmission route for C. maltaromaticum from the farm environment via the animal to carcasses in the abattoir. This is the first time that animals have been identified as a source of Carnobacterium contamination of lamb carcasses.