Microbiological and parasitological investigation among food handlers in hotels in the Dead Sea area, Jordan.
OBJECTIVE
Intestinal parasitic and bacterial infections constitute a major health issue in developing countries. The present study investigates and assesses infection rates among food handlers with intestinal parasites and microbial agents in luxurious hotels in the Dead Sea area of Jordan.


METHODS
A total of 901 stool samples were collected from food handlers (35 females and 866 males) employed in four main hotels in the Dead Sea area. Fecal samples were examined microscopically for intestinal parasites. Standard culture and biochemical techniques were used for the isolation and identification of Salmonella and Shigella spp. in stool samples.


RESULTS
Five species of protozoan (Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Endolimax nana), one helminth (Hymenolepis nana), and one cylindrical worm (Enterobius vermicularis) were recovered with an overall infection rate of 3.7%. G. intestinalis was the most prevalent parasitic infection with infection rate of 2.44%. All samples were negative for both Salmonella and Shigella.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the important role of food handlers in the transmission of intestinal parasites to high-class clients accommodated in luxury hotels, and stress the urgent need for regular health and parasitologic examination of food handlers.
Prince Iman Center for Research and Laboratory Sciences, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan.
Muna
M
Abdel-Dayem
Prince Iman Center for Research and Laboratory Sciences, King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan.
Renad
R
Al Zou'bi
Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Rehan Bani
RB
Hani
Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. Electronic address: amrz@just.edu.jo.
Zuhair Sami
ZS
Amr
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010271:Parasites / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D015995:Prevalence
Entamoeba histolytica; Food handlers; Giardia intestinalis; Intestinal parasites; Jordan