title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in raw meats and prepared foods in public hospitals in salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
abstract: This study investigated the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in raw meat and fish and foods prepared from them for patient consumption in public hospitals in Salvador, Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. A total of 114 samples of raw meat and fish (chicken, n = 30; beef, n = 30; pork, n = 24; and fish, n = 30) and 63 samples of prepared foods (made with chicken, n = 15; beef, n = 15; pork, n = 15; and fish, n = 18) were collected from the kitchens of 10 different hospitals. Of the 114 investigated raw meat and fish samples, 28.1% were positive for MRSA, which comprised 23.3% beef, 23.3% chicken, 37.5% pork, and 30% fish samples. Of the prepared foods, 9.5% were positive for MRSA, which comprised 5.6% chicken products, 6.7% pork products, and 22.2% fish products. MRSA contamination was not detected in prepared beef dishes. A statistical analysis showed no association between the presence of MRSA and the type of raw food (P > 0.05). The high prevalence of MRSA among the raw foods tested and the presence of the microorganism in prepared foods emphasizes the necessity of enforcing hygienic practices within hospital kitchens.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Faculty, Federal Univ. of Bahia. Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Ondina, Cep: 40.170-290, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wellington Luis Reis
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Jeane dos Santos
authors.initials: Jdos S
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Joelza Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Ellayne Souza
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Lucimara Cardoso
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Rogeria Comastri de Castro
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000382:microbiology; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005521:Food Service, Hospital; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D017747:Seafood; D013552:Swine
keywords: MRSA; antimicrobial resistance; hospitals’ kitchens; prepared foods; raw meat