Investigation of Escherichia coli O157 in Turkish homemade white cheese

Year 2013, Volume: 72 Issue: 1, 45 - 51, 07.11.2013

Seza Arslan Fatma Özdemir

Abstract

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are important pathogens that cause serious public health risks such as food poisoning. Raw milk and cheeses made from raw or inadequately pasteurized milk remain a potential vehicle for VTEC serotype O157 infections. In this study, the occurrence of E. coli serotype O157 was investigated in a total of 245 Turkish homemade white cheeses, produced in rural areas, which were collected from various open public bazaars. Twenty-one non-sorbitol fermenting colonies were detected as suspicious E. coli O157 isolates on the sorbitol MacConkey Agar supplemented with cefixime and tellurite (CT-SMAC). Presumptive E. coli O157 isolates were tested for agglutination according to the manufacturers' instructions with a commercial E. coli O157 latex test. E. coli O157 was not detected in any of the 245 Turkish homemade white cheeses, popular food consumed by Turkish people. In conclusion, it is pleasing to note the absence of E. coli O157 in all of this popular food. However, it may be advisable to carry out a careful surveillance in such food in view of consumers' health and the possible presence of E. coli O157:H7, an important foodborne pathogen.

Keywords

: Homemade white cheese, Escherichia coli O157, CT-SMAC, Foodborne infection, Latex test.

*Corresponding author:

Seza Arslan (e-mail: [e-mail])

(Received: 22.10.2012 Accepted: 04.02.2013)

Keywords

Homemade white cheese, Escherichia coli O157, CT-SMAC, Foodborne infection, Latex test.

Türk ev yapımı beyaz peynirlerde Escherichia coli O157’nin araştırılması

Abstract

Verositotoksin üreten Escherichia coli (VTEC) gıda zehirlenmeleri gibi ciddi halk sağlığı risklerine neden olan önemli patojendir. Çiğ süt ile çiğ sütten ya da yeterli derecede pastörize edilmemiş sütten yapılan peynirler VTEC serotip E. coli O157 enfeksiyonları için potansiyel bir kaynak teşkil etmektedir. Bu çalışmada, kırsal kesimde üretilen toplam 245 adet Türk ev yapımı beyaz peynir örneği çeşitli açık halk pazarlarından toplanmıştır. Toplanan örnekler E. coli serotip O157’nin varlığı açısıdan araştırılmıştır. Sefiksim-tellürite (CT) ihtiva eden sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) besiyerinden sorbitolü fermente etmeyen toplam 21 koloni E. coli O157 varlığı açısından şüpheli izolat olarak tespit edildi. E. coli O157 varlığı açısından şüpheli izolatlar ticari E. coli O157 lateks aglütinasyon test kitine üreticinin talimatları doğrultusunda tabi tutuldu. Türk halkı tarafından sevilerek tüketilen toplam 245 Türk ev yapımı beyaz peynirin hiçbirinde E. coli O157 varlığı tayin edilmedi. Sonuç olarak, bu sevilen gıdada E. coli O157’nin yokluğu sevindirici bir tespittir. Bununla beraber, gıdalarda tüketici sağlığı için önemli bir gıda kaynaklı patojen olan E. coli O157:H7’nin varlığına yönelik titiz incelemenin gerçekleştirilmesi tavsiye edilir.

Keywords

Ev yapımı beyaz peynir, Escherichia coli O157, CT-SMAC, Gıda kaynaklı infeksiyon, Lateks test

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