Implementation Of Hygiene Practices Research Articles

Conditions and Antimicrobial Resistant Profiles of Campylobacter Species from Cow Milk Samples in Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Campylobacter is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis and is commonly transmitted through the consumption of raw milk or improperly pasteurized milk. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to March 2020 in four study sites in the Oromia region of Ethiopia to isolate, identify, and estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter species in milk samples and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A total of 384 cow milk samples were randomly chosen from 192 samples of raw milk from farmers and collectors and 192 samples of pasteurized milk from processors and retailers. Standard bacteriological techniques and PCR were used to isolate and identify Campylobacter spp. Of the total 384 milk samples, 35 (9.1%) were found to be positive for Campylobacter spp. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was highest in collector raw milk (13.5%), farmer raw milk (12.5%), and pasteurized milk (5.2%).The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method. The most prevalent Campylobacter spp. isolated from milk samples was Campylobacter jejune (C. jejuni) (100%). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter in dairy value chains, including producer, collector, processor, and retailer, was 12.5%, 13.5%, 5.2%, and 5.2%, respectively. Cold storage, material type for making collection rooms, calibrating the pasteurizer machine, restricting milk handlers that are sick, means of transportation, and maintaining temperature during transportation had a statistically significant association. 100% and 8.6% of the Campylobacter isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol, respectively. However, all of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, clindamycin, oxytetracycline, and trimethoprim. Moreover, 80% of the C. jejuni were resistant to tetracycline and streptomycin. 26% of the species developed ciprofloxacin degradation. The result of this study revealed the prevalence and risk factors of Campylobacter species in raw and pasteurized milk samples. Hence, there is a chance of acquiring infection via the consumption of raw or undercooked milk. Thus, the implementation of hygienic practices from the producer to the retailer's market, proper handling to avoid cross-contamination and proper pasteurization are very important in preventing Campylobacter infection.

Isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from cattle, goat, and chicken meats in Mekelle, Ethiopia.

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are globally recognized as a major cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016 in Mekelle city to isolate, identify, and estimate the prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli in raw meat samples and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A total of 384 raw meat samples were randomly collected from bovine (n = 210), goat (n = 108), and chicken (n = 66), and isolation and identification of Campylobacter spp. were performed using standard bacteriological techniques and PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using disc diffusion method. Of the total 384 raw meat samples, 64 (16.67%) were found positive for Campylobacter spp. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was found in chicken meat (43.93%) followed by bovine meat (11.90%) and goat meat (9.25%). The most prevalent Campylobacter spp. isolated from meat samples was C. jejuni (81.25%). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter in restaurants, butcher shops, and abattoir was 43.93%, 18.30%, and 9.30%, respectively. 96.8%, 81.25%, 75%, and 71% of the Campylobacter spp. isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim, respectively. However, 96.9%, 85.9%, and 50% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and streptomycin, respectively. Strains that developed multi-drug resistant were 68.7%. The result of this study revealed the occurrence of Campylobacter in bovine, goat, and chicken meats. Hence, there is a chance of acquiring infection via consumption of raw or undercooked meat. Thus, implementation of hygienic practices from a slaughterhouse to the retailers, proper handling and cooking of foods of meat are very important in preventing Campylobacter infection.

Implementation of good hygiene practices in food trucks with and without the intervention of a food safety expert

AbstractThis study evaluated the implementation of good hygiene practices in food trucks with and without the intervention of a food safety expert. Fifty‐three food trucks were divided into control group and intervention group. The study was carried out in three stages: (a) evaluation of good hygiene practices in both groups through a list of categories and development of an action plan; (b) participation of a food safety expert in the intervention group; and (c) second assessment of good hygiene practices in both groups. At the latter stage, both groups showed significant improvements on average. The intervention group presented greater progress in the last evaluation, with significantly higher adequacy percentages (p < 0.05) in all categories evaluated. The control group showed improvement in only 50% of the categories. These results revealed the importance of food safety experts in the implementation of hygiene practices in foodservices.Practical applicationsThe aim of this work was to evaluate the implementation of good hygiene practices in food trucks with and without the intervention of a food safety expert. Compliance to hygiene practices increased significantly when food safety consultants participated in the program. The results presented here contribute to raising awareness among food truck owners and staff on the importance of investing in food safety experts to ensure an effective implementation of good hygiene practices and accordingly reduce contamination risks in these establishments.

Good hygiene practices among meat handlers in small and medium enterprise slaughterhouses in Kenya

Implementation of hygiene practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) poses a serious problem, which can increase food safety risks. In SME slaughterhouses, the risk posed is even higher given that meat and meat products are important in regards to foodborne illnesses. Therefore, this study determined the good hygiene practices among meat handlers (MH) in SME slaughterhouses. A cross sectional survey was carried out among 207 MH in five SME beef slaughterhouses in Nairobi County, Kenya and its environs. Five categories of hygiene practices were assessed namely hand washing, protective clothing, prohibited practices, medical examination and equipment handling. The training needs among the MH were determined by categorizing the overall hygiene practices into either poor (<70%), average (70–89%) or good (>=90%) out of a possible high score of 100%. Use of soap and disposable towels during hand washing, use of gloves, cleaning equipment between carcasses and handling the equipment when not in use were poorly practiced. MH’s overall hygiene practices significantly differed with education, experience, training, and age (p < 0.05). In terms of training needs, about 82% of the MH should be considered for training. In conclusion, hand washing and equipment handling practices in studied SME slaughterhouses were not adequate. Overall, their level of hygiene practices may be influenced by education, experience, training, and age .

Bacterial Analysis and Survey of the Street Food of Kathmandu in Relation to Child Health

Analysis of street foods of Kathmandu for bacterial contamination was performed in 12 different street foods. The surveillance study was carried in 200 children of primary grade from public school and 12 street vendors for the health hygiene and hazards associated with street food. Poor hygiene practice in preparation and handling of street food has been observed in the vendors. The lack of the knowledge in vendors about the source of bacterial contamination and absence of surveillance on street food has subjected street food to the high potential for food borne illness. The inadequate safety measure adopted by the targeted consumers of street food, the children, has augmented the risk associated with street food. All the food samples analyzed were contaminated with bacteria. The mesophilic count was recorded highest in Panipuri while as coliform count was highest in Chana tarkari. The least count of both was observed in Aaloo chop . Highest number of Staphylococccus aureus was found in Kerau (1.5X103cfu/g) and lowest in Momo (8.3 cfu/g). The dominant bacteria contaminating the food was S. aureus followed by Bacillus alvei, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Serratia sp., S. saprophyticus. The contaminated hand and clothing of the person who prepare food are the major source of S. aureus. Highest percentage of E. coli found in Panipuri must be due to the use of contaminated water. Chana chatpate and Chana tarkari were the foods found to be contaminated with Salmonella sp. The type of food and the degree of hygiene practice adopted by vendor refl ects the type and magnitude of bacterial contamination. Implementation of hygienic practices in vendors may reduce the contamination of street food and health education of the school children will curtail the incidences of food borne illness. Periodical monitoring of quality of street food will avoid any future outbreaks of bacterial pathogen.J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 26, 2012: 1-9

Multifactorial effects of ambient temperature, precipitation, farm management, and environmental factors determine the level of generic Escherichia coli contamination on preharvested spinach.

A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to identify farm management, environment, weather, and landscape factors that predict the count of generic Escherichia coli on spinach at the preharvest level. E. coli was enumerated for 955 spinach samples collected on 12 farms in Texas and Colorado between 2010 and 2012. Farm management and environmental characteristics were surveyed using a questionnaire. Weather and landscape data were obtained from National Resources Information databases. A two-part mixed-effect negative binomial hurdle model, consisting of a logistic and zero-truncated negative binomial part with farm and date as random effects, was used to identify factors affecting E. coli counts on spinach. Results indicated that the odds of a contamination event (non-zero versus zero counts) vary by state (odds ratio [OR] = 108.1). Odds of contamination decreased with implementation of hygiene practices (OR = 0.06) and increased with an increasing average precipitation amount (mm) in the past 29 days (OR = 3.5) and the application of manure (OR = 52.2). On contaminated spinach, E. coli counts increased with the average precipitation amount over the past 29 days. The relationship between E. coli count and the average maximum daily temperature over the 9 days prior to sampling followed a quadratic function with the highest bacterial count at around 24°C. These findings indicate that the odds of a contamination event in spinach are determined by farm management, environment, and weather factors. However, once the contamination event has occurred, the count of E. coli on spinach is determined by weather only.

Nerve conduction studies in sprayers occupationally exposed to mixture of pesticides in a mango plantation at Lucknow, North India

In this study, nerve conduction, organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues in blood and cholinesterase activity levels of pesticide sprayers employed in mango plantations at Lucknow, North India, were determined. Fifty-two sprayers from mango plantations who regularly spray mixture of pesticides like organophosphates (OP), OCs, and carbamates were considered as exposed group. Eighteen subjects with similar socio-economic status of exposed group, who do not handle pesticides, were selected as controls. Questionnaire-based interviews related to personal and occupational histories of the study subjects were carried out. Sprayers did not use any personal protective equipment during pesticide handling. The blood-pesticide analyses of sprayers show higher mean values of hexachlorohexane (HCH), γ-HCH, δ-HCH, total HCH, op-DDT compared with the controls. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activites were significantly reduced among sprayers. Risk of motor nerve conduction deficits was observed in sprayers with low AChE activity. Negative correlation of motor and sensory nerve conduction deficits was observed with the duration of exposure and age among sprayers. The study demonstrated that the prolonged exposure to mixture of pesticides, ergonomic factors, decline in cholinesterase activity may lead to nerve conduction dysfunction. The findings suggest the need for controlled use of pesticides in the plantation and indicated the need for training and implementation of hygiene practices like proper usage of personal protective equipments.

Erythrocyte cholinesterase activity levels in desert farm workers.

In this study we have examined 532 migrant farm workers engaged mainly in the cultivation of vegetable crops, in both greenhouses and openfarms, and an equal number of controls. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) was measured to determine the degree of toxicity due to exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in the farm workers employed either as foremen (41.5%) or farmers (58.5%). The mean ages of the farm workers and controls were 35.2 +/- 7.4 (mean +/- SD) years and 34.6 +/- 7.1 years. AChE activity of the farm workers and controls was 3.89 +/- 0.64 UI/ml (mean +/- SD) and 4.15 +/- 0.29 UI/ml. The haemoglobin adjusted erythrocyte cholinesterase activity (HAChE) was 29.96 +/- 4.14 (mean +/- SD) for farm workers and 32.10 +/- 2.26 for controls. AChE activity was very highly significantly lower for the foremen (3.76 +/- 0.69) compared to farmers (3.98 +/- 0.59) (Student's t-test = 4.13, p = 0.0001). HAChE was also very highly significantly lower for foremen (29.24 +/- 4.37) compared to farmers (30.46 +/- 3.88) (Student's t-test = 3.64, p = 0.0001). The poorly controlled used of pesticides in the farms appeared to have caused sub-clinical intoxication in the farm workers and indicated the need for training and implementation of hygiene practices.