Süt İşletmeleri Çalışanlarının El ve Gaita Örneklerinde Astrovirüs, Norovirüs ve Rotavirüs Antijenlerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

In this study, swab and stool samples were obtained from employees (n=47) working in five dairy processing plants located in Burdur province (Turkey) and the district of Bucak to determine the prevalence of norovirus (NoV), rotavirus (RoV) and astrovirus (AsV) antigens by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Swab samples were obtained from both hands (palm, upper part, sides of fingers and fingernail tips) of employees. In a questionnaire, participants were asked to provide information regarding their gender, age, education level, smoking status, hygiene education status, habits of glove use during working as well as whether they had had digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain in the period of study. Results of the stool analyses indicated that NoV antigen was present in an employee of a dairy processing plant, which was not participated in any hygiene education. AsV and RoV antigens were absent in swap and stool samples of employees. According to results of the questionnaire, 42 of the 47 employees frequently used gloves while 4 employees used gloves rarely. It was determined that 7 of 47 staff was not in participated any hygiene education, and one of those 7 staff did not use gloves during working. It can be concluded that hygiene in the working environment and personnel in these dairy processing plants were sufficient and appropriate from viral perspective. However, detection of NoV antigen in stool sample of a staff of a dairy processing plant shows that there is high viral contamination potential for employees of dairy processing plants. Thus, hygiene education in food processing plants including dairy plants to prevent possible viral infections and outbreaks and prevent to loss of workforce is extremely important.