title: MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF STREET VENDED FOODS FROM A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN BANGLADESH.
abstract: The microbiological quality of street vended food samples from Dhaka, Bangladesh was evaluated. The objective of the study was to identify the presence of common pathogens (Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Salmonella and Vibrio spp) and to describe the molecular characterization of E coli, a commonly found pathogen in various street foods. Fifty food samples were collected from fixed and mobile vendors from two sampling locations (Mohakhali and Aftabnagar) in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The tested samples included deep fried and fried snacks; quick lunch items; pickles; fruit chutney; baked items; spicy, sour and hot snacks etc: Juices, tamarind water and plain drinking water were also tested. Sterile polythene bags were used for collecting 200 g of each category of samples. They were tested for the presence of microorganisms following conventional microbiological processes. Biochemical tests followed by serology were done for the confirmation of Shigella and Salmonella. Serological reaction was carried out for confirmation of Vibrio spp. DNA was isolated for the molecular characterization to detect the pathogenic E. coli by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of 50 food samples, six (12%) were confirmed to contain different species of E. coli and Shigella. Molecular characterization of E. coli revealed that three samples were contaminated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and one was contaminated with enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Shigellaflexneri X variant was detected in one food item and Shigella flexneri 2a was found in drinking water. All these enteric pathogens could be the potential cause for foodborne illnesses.
authors.forename: Sufia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Nishat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nasrin
authors.forename: Farhana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rizwan
authors.forename: Lutfun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nahar
authors.forename: Adity
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhowmik
authors.forename: Sayma Afrin
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Esha
authors.forename: Kaisar Ali
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Talukder
authors.forename: Mahmuda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akter
authors.forename: Ajoy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Muniruddin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005506:Food Contamination; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012760:Shigella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014495:Universities; D014733:Vibrio / Q000302:isolation & purification*