Shigella Serotypes, Entro-Hemoragic E.coli and Their Antibiogram Pattern among Food Handlers in Food-Handling Establishments in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Food-borne illnesses have a dramatic impact both in developing and developed countries. Food handling personnel take part in the transmission of pathogenic food born bacteria in the community. Shigella and E.coli 157:H7 are more significant and well-recognized food borne pathogens for reasons of their severe consequences of all age groups, high antibiotic resistance and their low infectious dose. Accordingly, food-handlers employing in meal serving facilities could be potential sources of infec­tions of these enteric bacterial pathogens. Method: Community based cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2014 to June 2015 to assess the sero-group and antimicrobial resistance pattern of enteric bacterial pathogens in Wolaita Sodo town among 398 food-handlers working in selected food handling establishments. Pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect Socio-demographic characteristics and associated factors. Stool specimens were collected by a clean, dry, wide-mouthed container.  Stool culture was done using differential, selective and enrichment medium. Analytical Profile Index 20E biochemical panel was used for identification and differentiation of members of enteric bacterial pathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by single disk diffusion technique. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS version 20.Result: 11 Shigella species and 24 E. coli O157:H7 isolates were detected. S. flexneri, S.sonnei, S.dysenteriae, and S.boydii isolates were isolated. A significant proportion of Ampicillin and Amoxicillin were noticed for all enteric bacterial pathogens. Multidrug resistances prevalence of 72.7%, and 58.3% were observed for Shigella, and E. coli O157: H7 respectively. Raw meat eating habit, hand washing after toilet and hand washing after touching dirty materials have shown significant association with enteric bacterial pathogens prevalence.Conclusions: Shigella and E. coli species were identified from fecal specimen. Significant proportion of multidrug resistances was detected in Shigella and E. coli O157: H7 respectively. Thus screening of food handles is important in order to prevent the transmission of enteric bacterial pathogens and treatment needs to be based on accurate laboratory detection of etiologic agents to mitigate the spread of drug resistant strains.

Keywords: E.coli O157:H7, Shigella, Food handlers, Antibiotics