RESUMO
The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of Salmonella and E. coli O157 found on the hides, as well as presence of Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli O157 found in small-ruminant fecal samples from abattoirs and farms in California, New Mexico, Texas, Mexico and the Bahamas. In small-ruminant fecal samples, overall organism presence was identified as 13.9% Salmonella (n=532), 15.3% E. coli O157 (n=477) and 80.7% Campylobacter (n=176). Overall, on small-ruminant hide surfaces, Salmonella frequency was 17.1% (N=339) and E. coli O157 was detected at 1.5% (n=266). The overall lower detection (P<0.0001) of E. coli O157 from hide samples (1.5%) when compared to presence in fecal samples (15.3%), is not consistent with trends expected. Results from this study can be used to better understand and potentially control pathogens in small-ruminants utilized for meat and milk.