Online ISSN: 2515-8260

PREVALENCE OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL AMONG FOOD HANDLERS

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Sivasankari. S1 *, Senthamarai.S2 , Anitha.C3 , Akila.K4 , Sijimol5

Abstract

Background: One of the public health threats in India is intestinal infections. Transmission by fruit, water, nails and fingers of intestinal parasites and enter opathogenic bacteria happens either directly or indirectly. These diseases endanger hospitalised patients and patients with immune defects. In our hospital, the present research was conducted to investigate the incidence of entry opathogenic bacterial infection in food service institution areas among food handlers. Materials and methods: This analysis was carried out by 62 food handlers working in different food facilities (male 28, female 34). Using sterile cotton tipped swabs; swabs from both hands (palm, swabs, underneath, finger nails) were obtained from each subject. A clean big mouthed tub of all 62 participants gathered freshly passed stool samples. After 24 hours, all the plates were inspected and marked with a test script according to normal protocol. Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus was conducted according to CLSI guidelines using cefoxitin disc 30μg and ESBL detection. Result: Among the 62 food handlers, males were 28 and females were 34 out of 62 samples, 47 (74.80%) samples had growth. Females 32 (51.61%) were found to be more infected and the age group between 18 – 30 yrs. Among 62 samples 15 had no growth, 39 had a single bacterial growth. Staphylococcus aureus 21 (33.87%) is the predominant isolate among gram positive organisms. E.coli 34 (54.83%) was the predominant isolate among gram negatives. No enteropathogenic bacteria like salmonella, shigella grown in culture. None of the Staphylococci isolates were MRSA positive, and ESBL producing organisms like E.coli &klebsiella were positive 6 (17.6%) & 2 ( 7.40%) respectively. All the food handlers positive for bacterial growth were appropriately treated and health education given. Repeat swab culture from all the food handlers were done after 6 weeks and it showed negative. Conclusion: In order to control intestinal diseases, proper personal hygiene and productive means of educating all workers, stringent infection control policies and daily monitoring are very important.

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