Level Of Bacterial Contamination Research Articles

Analysis Of Bacterial Contamination By Total Plate Number (ALT) Method In Smoked Fish At One Of The Market Traders

Bacterial contamination can come from the environment as a result of food production processes in the form of biological, chemical and foreign matter contaminants that can interfere with, harm and endanger human health. One of the problems in the processed food sector is the high level of bacterial contamination in the food served on the market. The condition of open food is also the main factor causing food to be contaminated with bacteria. The Total Plate Count (ALT) or total plate count (TPC) is an examination used to determine the number of microorganisms both bacteria and fungi using solid media with the final result being colonies. The aim of the study was to determine bacterial contamination and to determine the total plate number (ALT) of bacterial colonies in smoked fish sold at Ngemplak Market, Tulungagung. This research used a Simple Random Design (RAS) method with four treatments and 3 repetitions. The results showed that for menot fish it was 16.2 x 105 cfu/g, for tuna it was 10.5 x 105 cfu/g, for tuna it was 9.4 x 105 cfu/g, for bader fish it was 16.4 x 105 cfu/g. g, and in whitefish 20.5 x 105 cfu/g. The conclusion is that the bacterial contamination of smoked fish sold at the Ngemplak Market using the ALT method exceeds the normal limit value set by SNI 2725:2013.

Bacterial bioburden of duodenoscope elevator mechanism in different reprocessing stages

Over the past decade, infections linked to duodenoscopes have become a significant concern, primarily due to the intricate design of the elevator mechanism. Currently, there is limited evidence regarding the bacterial contamination level of the elevator mechanism after clinical use and throughout its various reprocessing stages. This study utilized the swab culture technique to examine the bacterial contamination on the duodenoscope elevator mechanism after clinical use and after 3 reprocessing stages at a Center of tertiary hospital. Our findings revealed severe bacterial contamination after clinical usage, emphasizing that the effectiveness of manual cleaning greatly influences the subsequent high-level disinfection quality.

Bacterial contamination of curing light guides: prevalence and students’ knowledge and awareness of measures to maintain sterility

It is generally accepted that inadequately sterilized dental curing light guides pose risks of infection and cross contamination.To determine the presence and level of bacterial contamination among curing light guides used by students during patient care at a dental school in South Africa and to describe students’ knowledge and awareness of measures used to maintain their sterility. A two-part descriptive study consisting of microbiological testing and a cross-sectional survey. Swabs were collected from curing light guide tips before and after use for aerobic culture and a questionnaire was used to collect data pertaining to students’ knowledge and awareness of measures used to maintain their sterility. The prevalence of contamination increased after use (54.5% vs 45.5%). Grades of bacterial growth higher than 1+ were not detected. Isolated bacteria were contaminants. The response rate for the questionnaire was 42.5%. Fifth-year students were overall more knowledgeable than fourth-year students (81.6% vs 67.5%) and were more aware of the existence of the different types of disposable barriers (27.5% vs 12.8%) and the impact of infection control barriers on curing light intensity (52.4% vs 15%). Contamination occurred despite high levels of knowledge and awareness of the risk.

Effect of Different Plant Extracts on Microbial Population in The Frozen African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Semen.

Fish sperm cryopreservation has been attempted on roughly freshwater and marine species since 1953. This study sought to assess the potential of various plant extracts to function as natural antimicrobial agents in the frozen semen of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Diluted sperm was packaged in 0.25ml straws and left for 10min equilibration at 4°C. Following equilibration, the straws were exposed to liquid nitrogen vapor for 10 min and plunged into the liquid nitrogen (-196°C) and then thawed in a water bath at 35°C for 20s. Sperm samples were put into sterile 1.5 ml tubes immediately after thawing and the microbial count was detected with classical microbiological culture method. In the results of microbiological analyses, these tree plant extracts especially Echinacea purpurea were found highly effective for decreasing bacterial contamination levels of African catfish (C. gariepinus) semen. These plant extracts may have the potential for antibacterial effect, and they can be useful for the dilution of semen.

Evidence of bacterial contamination at different locations of the Central Abattoir Akinyele, Oyo State

Carcass and products derived from any abattoir are declared safe and fit for human consumption only if the maximum bacterial contamination limit is not exceeded. This study was designed to compare the level of bacterial contamination at different points of Akinyele Central Abattoir, Oyo State. Samples were collected from the drains, floors, walls, soil and water sources for microbiological analysis. The results presented varying degrees of contamination of sampled points due to identifying Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Campylobacter sp., Clostridium sp., and Staphylococcus sp., all of public health importance. However, the soil had the highest total bacterial load of 6.158±0.132 ×105/cfu/ml, followed by the slaughter floor (5.008±0.176 ×105/cfu/ml) and source of water (4.650±0.109 ×105/cfu/ml). This study demonstrated that the hygiene and sanitary levels of the abattoir have been compromised. It is hereby recommended that proper hygienic and precautionary measures should be instituted and implemented at this abattoir.

Immobilization of Bacteriophages in Ex Tempore Hydrogel for the Treatment of Burn Wound Infection.

The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics is a major problem for anti-bacterial therapy. This problem may be solved by using bacteriophages-viruses that can attack and destroy bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. In this article, the authors compared the efficacy of topical bacteriophage therapy and systemic antibiotic therapy in the treatment of wound infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens in patients with limited (less than 5% of the body surface) full-thickness burns. Patients in the study group (n = 30) were treated with PVA-based hydrogel dressings saturated ex tempore with a bacteriophage suspension characterized by its lytic activity against the bacteria colonizing the wound. Patients in the control group (n = 30) were treated using etiotropic systemic antibiotic therapy, and the wounds were covered with gauze bandages soaked in an aqueous solution of povidone-iodine. An assessment of the decrease in the level of bacterial contamination of the recipient wounds in both groups was conducted after 7 days, and after that, free skin grafting was performed. On day 14 after free skin grafting, patients in both groups underwent incisional biopsy. The study group demonstrated an increase in the indices of proliferative activity (Ki-67), and angiogenesis (CD-31, VEGF) in the area of engraftment of the split-thickness skin grafts. The results indicate that PVA-based hydrogel wound dressings can be used as bacteriophage carriers for local antimicrobial therapy ahead of free skin grafting.

Bacterial Contamination in Total Joint Replacement: Should We Change into a New Set of Clean Scrub Suits Whenever Entering the Operating Room?

The aims of this study are as follows: (1) to investigate the level and probability of bacterial contamination on scrub suits over time for medical personnel working inside and/or outside the operating room (OR) area; (2) to discuss the protective role of cover gowns against bacterial contamination; and (3) to consider the necessity of changing into clean suits whenever entering the OR in terms of preventing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total joint replacement (TJR). The bacterial colony count was examined on the chest area of the scrub suits worn during various daily clinical practices. The genus/species of the contaminants were identified by matrix-assisted laser deposition ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The scrub suits worn outside the OR area showed a greater level of bacterial contamination than those worn inside the OR area, although the colony counts tended to increase over time both in and out of the area. The probability of contamination involving coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (known as the primary cause of PJI) did not increase significantly in the scrubs worn inside the OR area, but did increase significantly after a long-time departure from the OR area. Our results suggest that wearing scrub suits outside and/or the long duration of wearing the same suits can significantly increase the level and probability of any bacterial contamination (including CNS) on scrub suits. We also found that wearing a cover gown over scrub suits outside the OR area may have only a limited protective role against bacterial contamination.

Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Associated with Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Unizik, Awka Campus, Nigeria

Millions of individuals use automated teller machines (ATM) every single day.Anyone can use this machine, regardless of their class, age, or race. The hands, which are naturally 'vaults' of germs, serve as the contact site for all ATM machines. For a thorough evaluation of any potential microbiological contamination on the campus of UNIZIK Awka, a thorough survey was conducted. In order to evaluate, identify, and assess the level of bacterial contamination of microoganisms and their potential as reservoirs of microbes, a sample of ATMs on campus were employed as a case study. Each ATM's screen, buttons, floor, user's hand, and exposed plate all received swabs. The samples were placed in nutrient agar after being collected. The results showed the presence of increased bacterial count subsequently, most pathogens on characterization revealed the genus of the particular organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacteria, E. coli, Salmonella Shigella, and Klebsiella spp. The study showed the potential hazard inherent in ATM machine usage and draws attention to our level of hand hygiene compliance.

3D printers in hospitals: Reducing bacterial contamination on 3D-printed material

Background: COVID-19 has presented hospitals with unique challenges. An SHEA Research Network survey showed that 40% reported “limited” or worse levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and that 13% were self-producing PPE to address those deficits, including 3D-printed items. However, we do not know how efficiently, if at all, 3D-printed materials can be disinfected. Additionally, 2 filaments, PLACTIVE and PUREMENT, claim to be antimicrobial; they use copper nanocomposites and silver ions to reduce bacterial populations. We assessed how PLACTIVE and PUREMENT may be contaminated and how well they reduce contamination, and how readily polylactic acid (PLA), a standard 3D-printed material, may be disinfected. Methods: We grew methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae on 3D-printed disks and conducted bacterial survival assays to determine whether bacteria grow on PLA, PLACTIVE, and PUREMENT. We performed a time series (with 3- and 24-hour dry times) followed by serial dilutions to attain colony-forming unit (CFU) averages for each strain per disk. To determine whether 3D-printed material can be cleaned, we used 70% EtOH on PLA only. We conducted the same time series followed by a disinfectant time series (with dry times 30 seconds, 2.5, minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes). Again, serial dilutions were performed to attain the PLA CFU averages with disinfectant. The CFU averages from the control group (PLA) and testing group (PLACTIVE and PUREMENT) were compared to see how well the antimicrobial material decreased bacterial load. We also compared the CFU averages of PLA with and without disinfectant to see how well 70% EtOH decreased bacterial load. Results: 3D-printed material is readily contaminated with bacteria common in hospitals and can sustain that contamination. Antimicrobial materials, PLACTIVE and PUREMENT, had lower levels of bacterial contamination when compared to PLA. However, disinfected disks had lower overall CFU averages than those that were not, but the level of disinfection was variable and bacterial populations recovered hours after disinfection application. Conclusions: Proper disinfection and using appropriate 3D-printed materials are essential to limiting bacterial contamination. 3D printers and their products can be invaluable for hospitals, especially when supplies are low and healthcare worker safety is paramount. Environmental services should be made aware of the presence of antimicrobial 3D-printed materials, and patients should be discouraged from printing their own items for use in hospital environments.Disclosures: None

Commonly Consumed Vegetables as a Potential Source of Multidrug-Resistant and β-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.

Recently, antibiotic resistance of bacteria contained in foods such as vegetables has become a public health problem. In Ethiopia, the diversity of bacterial contamination and level of antibiotic resistance in vegetables are poorly understood. Local analysis of vegetable contamination and its contribution to the spread of antibiotic resistance are therefore essential for One Health interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the level of bacterial contamination of commonly consumed vegetables and their antimicrobial resistance patterns. A cross-sectional research was conducted in Debre Berhan town from February to August 2022. Questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, hygiene practices, and market hygiene. Six carefully selected vegetables (30 each, 180 in total) were purchased at a local market. Bacterial isolation and identification, multidrug-resistant (MDR) screening and confirmation, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) screening and confirmation, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using standard operating procedure. The data were analysed statistically using SPSS software version 25. The contamination rate of vegetables was 119 (66.1%). Of the 176 bacteria isolates, E. coli (26.1%; 46/176), S. aureus (18.8%; 176), S. epidermidis (10.8%; 19/176), Klebsiella spp. (9.1%; 16/179) and Acinetobacter spp. (6.8%; 12/176) were the most frequently detected isolates. Of the 180 samples tested, (66.1%; 119/180) were contaminated with at least one type of bacteria. Lettuce (22.7%; 40/176), spinach (18.6%; 33/176), and cabbage (19.2%; 32/176) were the most contaminated vegetables. Of the 176 bacteria isolates, (64.8%; 114/176) were MDR, and (18.5%; 23/124) isolates were ESBL producers. The kind of vegetables, vendor/seller finger-nail status, medium of display, market type, and not cleaned before to display were all significantly associated with bacterial contamination. This study found that commonly consumed vegetables are contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Vegetables were also notable for the incidence of multidrug-resistant, extended β-lactamase-resistant, and methicillin-resistant bacterial isolates. Therefore, we urge local health authorities to develop and implement effective control strategies to reduce vegetable contamination.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial foodborne pathogens in Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) at points of retail sale in Nairobi, Kenya

Proteus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Pseudeomonas spp., and pathogenic Vibrios are among the major foodborne pathogens associated with the consumption of contaminated fish. The increasing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens is a serious public health concern globally and therefore continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria along the food chain is crucial for for control of foodborne illnesses. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance patterns, antibiotic resistance genes, and genetic diversity of bacterial foodborne pathogens recovered from fresh Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) obtained from retail markets in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 68 O. niloticus fish with an average weight of 300.12 ± 25.66 g and body length of 23.00 ± 0.82 cm were randomly sampled from retail markets and tested for the presence of Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Standard culture-based microbiological and Kirby–Bauer agar disk diffusion methods were used to isolate and determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolates to 11 selected antibiotics. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab v17.1, with p < 0.05 considered significant. The genetic diversity of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria was determined using 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of antibiotic resistance genes in MDR bacterial isolates. High levels of bacterial contamination were detected in fresh O. niloticus fish (44/68, 64.71%). The most prevalent bacteria were Proteus spp. (44.12%), with the rest of the bacterial species registering a prevalence of 10.29%, 4.41%, 2.94%, and 2.94% (for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, V. cholerae, and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively). Antimicrobial resistance was detected in all the bacteria species and all the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic except cefepime (30 µg). Additionally, 86.36% of the isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, with higher multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MAR index >0.3) indicating that fresh O. niloticus fish were highly contaminated with MDR bacteria. Results of 16S rRNA sequences, BLASTn analysis, and phylogenetic trees confirmed the identified MDR bacterial isolates as Proteus mirabilis and other Proteus spp., S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, V. cholerae, and V. parahaemolyticus. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes blaTEM-1, blaCMY-2, tetA, tetC, Sul2, dfrA7, strA, and aadA belonging to β-lactamases, tetracycline, sulfonamide, trimethoprim, and aminoglycosides in all the MDR bacterial isolates. There was strong correlation between antibiotic- resistant genes and phenotypic resistance to antibiotics of MDR bacteria. This study showed high prevalence of multidrug resistance among foodborne bacterial isolates from fresh O. niloticus fish obtained from retail markets. From this study, we conclude that fresh O. niloticus fish are a potential source of MDR bacteria, which could be a major risk to public health as a consequence of their dissemination along the human food chain. These results highlight the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant foodborne pathogens in fish purchased from retail markets and underscore the risk associated with improper handling of fish.

Food Safety Study in Terms of Formaldehyde Content and Bacterial Contamination Levels of Cob Pindang Fish in Simo Gunung and Balong Sari Traditional Markets, West Surabaya

Formalin is a food additive that has been banned by BPOM but can still be found in food products. This study aims to determine: 1) the food safety of pindang fish sold in traditional markets in West Surabaya in terms of formalin content and bacterial contamination; 2) the relationship between the hygienic conditions of traders and formalin content on the level of bacterial contamination; and 3) the bacterial growth patterns during room temperature storage of formalin-positive and formalin-negative tuna pindang fish. This is a cross-sectional study with a sampling technique of saturation. A qualitative formalin test was conducted using a formalin test instrument. The results indicated that 88.23% (15 of 17 samples) of cob pindang contained formalin and that 64.7% (11 of 17 samples) exceeded the SNI 2717: 2017 maximum limit for total microorganisms. There was a significant correlation between the level of bacterial contamination and the hygienic conditions of traders. There is no correlation between formalin concentration and bacterial contamination level. The pattern of bacterial proliferation did not differ between formalin-positive and negative cob pindang fish

Assessment of potential pathogenic bacterial load and multidrug resistance in locally manufactured cosmetics commonly used in Dhaka metropolis

In Bangladesh cosmetics are being produced disregarding the Good Manufacturing Practices. So, this study aimed to test the level and nature of bacterial contamination of such cosmetics. A total of 27 cosmetics comprising eight lipsticks, nine powders, and ten creams were bought from New Market and Tejgaon areas of Dhaka city and tested. Bacteria was detected in 85.2% of samples. Majority of the samples (77.8%) exceeded the limit given by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella spp.) and Gram-positive bacteria (species of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Listeria monocytogenes) were identified. Hemolysis was observed in 66.7% Gram-positive and 25% Gram-negative bacteria. Multidrug resistance was tested in 165 randomly selected isolates. Every species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria exhibited varying levels of multidrug resistance. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance were in broad-spectrum antibiotics (ampicillin, azithromycin, cefepime, ciprofloxacin and meropenem) and narrow-spectrum Gram-negative antibiotics (aztreonam and colistin). Multidrug resistance was 12–78% in Gram-negative bacteria and 12–100% in Gram-positive bacteria. Coagulase and DNase were identified in 97.5% and 5.1% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates respectively. Our findings indicate that these cosmetics pose a risk to the public’s health.

Bacteriological Assessment of Critical Areas in Three Selected Units in Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital, Jodhpur Rajasthan, India

The hospital environment plays a crucial role in the chain of infection spread. Thus, there is need to attack the chain of infection at its weakest link as the most effective way in combating and/or preventing nosocomial infections. The study aims to assess the common aerobic pathogenic bacteria in the different departments of Jodhpur National University Dental Hospital and to establish the best disinfectant as well as disinfection procedure. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted. Air and surface samples were taken before and after dental procedures from all the three departments within durations of 14 days. Different antiseptics were used so as to compare their effectiveness. Swabs taken from different places were streaked on blood agar plates and incubated at 37oC under aerobic conditions for 24 hours. After incubation, isolates obtained were appropriately identified. After aerobic incubation of the settle plates at 370C for 24hours, the colonies on each plate were counted and recorded as the number of bacteria carrying particles settling over the area of the plate in a given period of time. The level of bacterial contamination of air is usually expressed as the number of bacteria carrying particles per cubic millimeter. A total of 274 surface samples and 97 air samples were collected. Bacteria were isolated in all air samples while only 255 surface samples had growth. The predominant species in all services was Bacillus spp, followed by coagulase negative Staphylococci, Micrococcus luteus, aerobic spore formers and least was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteria isolated in the air were similar to those isolated from surfaces. In conclusion, lack of a universal procedure for surveillance of nosocomial infection, presence of pathogenic bacteria, poor hand hygiene and heavy contamination of some important surfaces are the most important problems in our hospitals.

Bacterial Contamination Levels and Brand Perception of Sachet Water: A Case Study in Some Nigerian Urban Neighborhoods

Sachet water (SW) is a major source of drinking in most Nigerian homes, thus making it a possible conveyance medium for health risks due to contamination if persist rather than for replenishment of the body. This study collected SW from three busy neighborhoods in South-West Nigeria and investigated for the presence of indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli), Total Coliform (TC), Total Heterophilic Bacteria (THB), Staphylococcus (Staph)) and some physio-chemical parameters (total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and salinity). Multi-variable and exploratory statistical methods were applied to the results to determine correlations between bacterial contamination levels and perceived brand reputation. Bacteriological tests with raw SW samples appeared too numerous to count (TNC) and thus required serial dilutions. After seven-fold serial dilutions, results obtained revealed that SW brands with good reputations had no TC and E. coli and was statistically significant with groupings of other SW brands (χ2 = 12.28; p < 0.05 and χ2 = 37.96; p < 0.05). Additionally, SW brands with poor reputations had mean values of TC (19.7×108 cfu/mL; 14×108 cfu/mL 1.15×108 cfu/mL) and E. coli (18.2×108 cfu/mL; 38.7×108 cfu/mL,32.4×108 cfu/mL) exceeding the threshold value of zero set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Only one sample from a poor reputation brand tested positive for Staphylococcus and was not statistically significant (χ2 = 5.2191; p = 0.074). Principal Component Analysis (PCA)/Factor Analysis (FA) revealed that most of the SW had fecal contamination was the major source. Therefore, this study suggests that periodic cleaning of distribution lines, location-specific treatment, and other quality control (QC) measures should be enforced to reduce water security risk for SW consumption in the region.

Impact of Chlorine Dioxide on Pathogenic Waterborne Microorganisms Occurring in Dental Chair Units.

Bacterial contamination is a problem in dental unit water lines with the consequence of implementing regular disinfection. In this study, the short-term impact of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment was investigated on the microorganisms Legionella pneumophila and L. anisa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The environmental background was proven as an important factor regarding the tolerance to 0.4 mg/L ClO2 as saline and phosphate-buffered saline resulted in a higher bacterial reduction than tap water. Gram-positive microorganisms demonstrated higher robustness to ClO2 than Gram-negative, and microorganisms adapted to tap water showed increased stability compared to cultured cells. At high densities, substantial numbers of bacteria were able to withstand disinfection, whereby the use of 4.6 mg/L ClO2 increased the inactivation rate. A massive cell decrease occurred within the first 5 minutes with subsequent plateau formation or slowed cell reduction upon further exposure. This biphasic kinetics cannot be explained by a ClO2 depletion effect alone, because the probability of bacterial subpopulations with increased tolerance should be taken into account, too. Our results prove high disinfection efficiency to microorganisms that were rather found in correlation to the level of bacterial contamination and background solutions than the chosen concentration for ClO2 treatment itself.

Comparative Analysis of Methods of Environmental Surface Sampling for Assessment of Viral and Bacterial Contamination

Introduction: One of the key elements of the infectious disease surveillance system is microbiological monitoring of contamination of environmental objects and health care personnel hands. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, virology testing of swabs from hospital objects and personal protective equipment of workers of infectious disease hospitals for patients with COVID-19 has acquired special importance. According to the current regulatory documents, however, greater priority in microbiological monitoring is given to determination and identification of bacterial pathogens, thus necessitating the development and implementation of an advanced technique of a simultaneous assessment of viral and bacterial contamination. Objective: To compare different environmental surface sampling techniques used to assess viral and bacterial contamination. Materials and methods: Samples for environmental swab testing were collected in accordance with the “Scheme for sampling environmental swabs for simultaneous assessment of viral and bacterial contamination” patented by the authors (Industrial Design Patent No. 132971 of September 5, 2022). We applied bacteriological, molecular genetic, and statistical methods in the study. Results: Overall, 343 wipe samples were tested, of which 68 were atypical (two 38-swab portions, 11.1 % each, contained SARS-CoV-2 RNA and opportunistic microorganisms). Among the opportunistic microorganisms, 42 bacterial strains were identified, including 16 strains of Enterococcus faecalis (38.1 %), 9 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.4 %), 7 strains of Escherichia coli (16.7 %), 3 strains of Enterococcus faecium (7.1 %), 3 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (7.1 %), 2 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.9 %), and 2 strains of Pantoea agglomerans (4.9 %). Eleven variants of viral and bacterial associations were identified. The comparison of environmental swabbing performed by the technique under study with that performed by the standard method, based on test results, indicated a significant 11.1 and 12.3-fold difference in the proportion of non-standard findings for SARS-CoV-2 and opportunistic microorganisms, respectively. Conclusions: The study results prove that our technique of environmental swabbing meets all modern requirements and facilitates an objective assessment of the level of viral and bacterial contamination of the study objects. This approach can be used for laboratory testing within state and industrial control at institutions of various specialties (healthcare, food industry, childcare facilities, etc.).

Foodborne disease hazards and burden in Ethiopia: A systematic literature review, 1990–2019

BackgroundFoodborne disease (FBD) affects millions of people each year, posing a health burden similar to malaria, tuberculosis or HIV. A recent World Bank study estimated the productivity losses alone attributed to unsafe food within Africa at $20 billion in 2016, and the cost of treating these illnesses at an additional $3.5 billion. Ethiopia faces multiple food safety challenges due to lack of infrastructure and basic pre-requisites for food safety such as clean water and environment, washing facilities, compounded by limited implementation of food safety regulations, and a lack of incentives for producers to improve food safety. A consolidation of our understanding and evidence of the source, nature and scale of FBD in Ethiopia is needed to inform policy and future research. We performed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of publications on FBD occurrence in Ethiopia including hazard presence and impact.MethodThe SLR followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed and CAB-Direct for relevant publications between 1990 and 2019 (inclusive). Observational studies and reviews were included. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and retained publications were reviewed in full for quality and data extraction.ResultIn total 128 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles focused on the identification of biological hazards in food. High levels of microbial contamination in different food value chains were often found in the small,ad hoc, observational studies that dominated the literature. Raw milk (22/128, 17.0%) and raw beef (21/128, 16.4%) were the most studied food products. Foodborne (FB) parasites were often found at higher rates in food than bacterial and viral pathogens, possibly due to differences in ease of identification. High levels of bacterial contamination on the hands of food handlers were widely reported. There were no reports on the incidence of human FBDs or resulting health and economic impacts.ConclusionOur findings reflect existing concerns around food safety in Ethiopia. A lack of substantial, coordinated studies with robust methodologies means fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge of FBD in Ethiopia, particularly regarding FBD burden and impact. Greater investment in food safety is needed, with enhanced and coordinated research and interventions.

Tingkat cemaran bakteri Coliform dan Escherichia coli pada makanan dan minuman sebagai dampak kondisi higiene sanitasi di Sentra Kuliner Penjaringansari, Surabaya

The presence of Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli in food or beverages is an indicator of poor hygiene and sanitation for food service providers. This research is an observational study, samples used were food and beverages sold by traders at the Penjaringansari culinary center in Surabaya. The aims of this study are 1). identify the hygiene and sanitation conditions of food service providers ; 2). Detecting the food safety of food and beverage products in terms of the bacterial contamination level, Coliform and Escherichia coli contamination ; 3). Knowing the relationship between the hygiene and sanitation of traders to Coliform and Escherichia coli contamination ; 4). Identify sources of bacterial contamination. The results are 41.67% of food samples contained total bacteria (range 2.7 x 104 -3.8 x 105 colonies/gram) exceeding the maximum limit of BPOM. Coliform results showed that 100% of food samples and 66.6% of drinks and snacks samples are exceeded the maximum limit of BPOM requirements (food and snack samples >3 APM/g; drinks > 0 APM/g) and 50% of the samples contained Escherichia coli exceed BPOM standards. There is a significant relationship (P<0.05) between the sanitation hygiene of traders with total Coliform and Escherichia coli contamination in food, beverages and snacks. Cutting utensils, plates, raw water and the hands of handlers are sources of Coliform contamination.

Contamination of dental unit water lines (DUWL) with Legionella pneumophila andPseudomonas aeruginosa; A Middle Eastsystematic review and meta-analysis.

This review aimed to evaluate the contamination rate of dental unit waterlines (DUWL) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella pneumophila in several countries in the Middle East.Literature search was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to gather studies published from the beginning of 2000 to 30th April 2020. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were; "Legionellosis"; "Legionnaire", "Legionellosis", "L. pneumophila", "dent", "dental", "dentistry", "Dental Unit Waterlines", "dental water", "DUWL", "Middle East", "P. aeruginosa", "Iran", "Turkey", "Iraq", and "Jordan". The search was independently conducted by two of the authors. Data was analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.Almost all studies included in this review reported a high rate of bacterial contamination of DUWL, which exceeded the current standard bacterial contamination level of <200 (CFU) mL-1 recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). The combined prevalence of L. pneumophila from four countries (Iran, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq) was 23.5% (95% Cl: 6.5-57.7), and the combined prevalence of P. aeruginosa was reported 21.7% (95% Cl: 7.1-50.1%).This study showed a high bacterial contamination rate of DUWL with opportunistic pathogens. So, it is recommended to prevent biofilm formation in DUWL, some measures should be extended by practical approaches allowing for water quality control and improvement on-site in the dental practices such as mobile filtration units, chlorination and disinfection chemicals.