Isolation of Salmonella Species Among Apparently Healthy Foodhandlers of Addis Ababa University Students' Cafeteria, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011

 

Background: Food is an important vehicle for spread infectious agents causing disease resulting in appreciable morbidity and mortality. Food handlers play an important role in ensuring food safety. However, in developing countries like Ethiopia the proportion of certified food handlers and their carrier status is not well studied. Salmonellosis is one of such diseases that can be transmitted from chronic asymptomatic salmonella carriers.

Objective: To isolate the Salmonella species among food handlers of Addis Ababa university students’ cafeteria, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from December 2010 to February 2011. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data & predisposing factors. Stool samples collected from 233 food handlers were put in selenite cystine broth for Salmonella enrichment, and then cultured on macConkey & XLD for primary culture and purification. The isolate were identified by biochemical tests and drug susceptibility tests were done.

Results: Eight Salmonella species were isolated among 233 foodhandlers giving an isolation rate of 3.4%, all were females. Of these; two S.typhi, one S.paratyphi A and five unidentified Salmonella species were isolated. Among the risk factors associated with salmonellosis, hand washing habit after toilet with or without soap had a statistically significant association with isolation of Salmonellae, p = 0.003 (OD= 0.07, 95% CI= 0.008–0.58). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile showed all except one were resistant to Ampicillin and all isolates were resistant at least to one of antimicrobials tested.

Conclusion: A 3.4% isolation rate of Salmonella species was obtained and all isolates were resistant at least to one of antimicrobials tested. Accordingly, foodhandlers could be a source of salmonellosis unless carriers treated after periodic screening and other preventive measures taken. Antimicrobial resistance profile also reflects it would be a serious problem in near future.

Key words: Antimicrobial, Foodhandler, Isolate, Salmonella