Assessment of Pathogenic Salmonella species among Food Handlers in Khartoum locality Cafeterias

Abstract

Food borne diseases continue to be a major public health problem in the developed and developing worlds alike. This study was done to assess the pathogenic Salmonella species amongst food handlers working in cafeterias in Khartoum Province during the period from April to September 2013. The enrolled food handlers working in cafeterias inside campuses of Sudan University of Science and Technology and other cafaterias distributed in Khartoum Province. Stool specimens were collected from each food handler in sterile, wide mouthed container. The specimens were inoculated on selenite F broth as enrichment medium then subcultured on XLD and SSA for primary isolation of pathogenic Salmonella species. Identification of Salmonella species was carried out by colonial morphology, Gram's stain and biochemical tests. Amongst the 200 food handlers enrolled in this study, the majority 196(98%) were males. The rest 4(2%) were females. Of the 200 stool specimens investigated, only 8(4%) isolates were Salmonella paratyphi B. The isolates recovered from six males and two females. All isolates were recovered from food handlers working in cafeterias outside campuses of the university. It is conducted that a considerable number (n=8) of food handlers shedding Salmonella paratyphi B. Further studies are required to validate this result.