scholarly journals Microbial quality of oysters sold in Western Trinidad and potential health risk to consumers

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. RAMPERSAD ◽  
S. LALOO ◽  
A. LA BORDE ◽  
K. MAHARAJ ◽  
L. SOOKHAI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Microbial Quality ◽  
Faecal Coliforms ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
San Fernando ◽  
The Mean

The prevalence and characteristics of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. as well as counts of E. coli in raw oysters, condiments/spices, and raw oyster cocktails sampled from 72 vendors across Western Trinidad were determined. The microbial quality of the water used in the preparation of raw oysters was also investigated. Of 200 samples each of raw oysters, condiments/spices and oyster cocktails tested, 154 (77·0%), 89 (44·5%) and 154 (77·0%) respectively yielded E. coli. The differences were statistically significant (P=[les ]0·001; χ2=62·91). The mean E. coli count per g in the ready-to-eat oyster cocktail ranged from 1·5×103±2·7×103 in Couva to 8·7×106±4·9×107 in San Fernando. One hundred and forty-six (73·0%) oyster cocktails contaminated with E. coli had counts that exceeded the recommended standard of 16 per g. Of a total of 590 E. coli isolates from various sources tested, 24 (4·1%), 20 (3·4%) and 69 (11·7%) were mucoid, haemolytic and non-sorbitol fermenters respectively. Twelve (2·0%) isolates of E. coli were O157 strains, while 92 (46·0%) of 200 E. coli isolates tested belonged to enteropathogenic serogroups. Ninety (45·0%) and 73 (36·5%) of 200 water samples contained total coliforms and faecal coliforms respectively, with counts that exceeded 2·2 coliforms per 100 ml. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 7 (3·5%), 1 (0·5%) and 2 (1·0%) of 200 samples each, of raw oysters, condiments/spices and oyster cocktails respectively. Oysters pose a health risk to consumers in Trinidad, particularly from colibacillosis and salmonellosis, and the need for increased public awareness of this hazard cannot be over-emphasized.

Occurrences of Giardia cysts in beach water

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. W. Ho ◽  
T.-Y Tam
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Water Sample ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beach Water ◽  
Giardia Cysts

A total of 64 beach water samples with various bacteriological quality (Grades 1 to 4) were analysed for their bacteriological and parasitological contents (E coli and Giardia cysts respectively). Results indicated that Giardia cysts were detected in less than 10% of the Grade 1 beach water samples with E coli concentrations of <24/100mL. For Grades 2, 3 & 4 beach water samples, Giardia cysts were found, respectively, in 85, 50 and 64% of the samples. Except for one beach water sample which had an unusually high concentration of Giardia cysts (23 cysts/L), they were generally present at moderate concentrations (<10 cysts/L) in all other beach water samples. Despite moderate levels of Giardia cysts present in beach water of different grades, the potential health risk faced by swimmers bathing in local beach water needs to be carefully assessed as Giardia is known to have a low infectious dose.

Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Retail Meat Products: Evaluation of Biofilm Formation Ability, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Group Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-240
Author(s):  
ELENA BARILLI ◽  
ALICE VISMARRA ◽  
VIVIANA FRASCOLLA ◽  
MARTINA REGA ◽  
CRISTINA BACCI
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Phylogenetic Group ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Retail Meat

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism capable of forming a biofilm. This is an important virulence factor and is critical in certain diseases and in the development of antibiotic resistance, which is increased by biofilm synthesis. In the present study, the potential health risk associated with handling and consumption of foods of animal origin contaminated with E. coli–producing biofilm was evaluated. We analyzed the ability of 182 E. coli strains isolated from pork, poultry, and beef, purchased in three different supermarkets in the area of the “Italian Food Valley” (Parma, northern Italy), to form biofilms. Positive strains were also tested for the presence of 12 biofilm-associated genes. Moreover, the 182 E. coli were characterized for antibiotic resistance, presence of multidrug resistance, extended-spectrum β-lactamase strains, and phylogenetic diversity through PCR. Twenty-five percent of the isolates produced biofilm. The majority showed weak adherence, five were moderate, and three were strong producers. E. coli with a strong adherence capability (three of three) harbored eight biofilm-associated genes, while weak and moderate producers harbored only five (frequencies ranging from 80 to 100%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 20 biofilm-producing E. coli, and 15 of these belonged to phylogenetic group D. Among nonbiofilm producers, the percentage of strains belonging to phylogenetic groups B2 and D was approximately 40%, highlighting a potential health risk for consumers and people handling contaminated products. The present study underlines the importance of monitoring the prevalence and characteristics of E. coli contaminating retail meat in relation to the potential virulence highlighted here. HIGHLIGHTS

scholarly journals Evaluation of Potential Health Risk, Heavy Metal Pollution Indices and Water Quality of Edku Lagoon- Egypt

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-290
Author(s):  
Said A. Shetaia ◽  
Atef M. Abu Khatita ◽  
Nabil A. Abdelhafez ◽  
Ibrahim M. Shaker ◽  
Sameh B. El Kafrawy
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Heavy Metal Pollution ◽  
Pollution Indices ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk

scholarly journals Assessing the quality of water used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Kamil Abdallah ◽  
Khaldoon A. Mourad
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Water Contamination ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Tamale Metropolis ◽  
Survey Instruments ◽  
The Mean

AbstractThis paper assesses water quality that is used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. A mixed-method of research design was employed in this study to collect and analyze the data based on survey instruments. The paper found that Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is usually used as an indicator of water contamination and heavy metals exist in all taken water samples. The mean concentrations of nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate were recorded as 0.022 mg/l to 5.98 mg/l for ammonia, 1.06 mg/l to 7.52 mg/l for nitrate, 0.031 mg/l to 0.056 mg/l for nitrate and 0.037 mg/l to 0.069 mg/l for phosphate. E. coli and Total Coliforms levels for Sanghani, Kamina and Waterworks from the laboratory analysis were recorded as 3.2 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 5.5 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, 4.0 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 1 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, and 2.1 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 4.6 × 102 CFU 100 m/l respectively. To conclude, based on the measured parameters, water used for irrigation in the Tamale Metropolitan is polluted and may cause potential health risks. Therefore, farmers, traders and consumers need to apply further safety measures to make the vegetables safe.

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