@article{article_1908989, title={Presence of coliforms and antibiotic-resistant E. coli in stuffed mussels from street vendors}, journal={Journal of Turkish Veterinary Medical Society}, volume={97}, pages={184–191}, year={2026}, DOI={10.33188/vetheder.1908989}, url={https://izlik.org/JA96HE74MG}, author={Şahiner, Cemil and Özkan, Elif and Koçak Kızanlık, Pelin and Göksoy, Ergün Ömer}, keywords={Antibiyotik Dirençliği, E. coli, Koliform, Midye Dolma}, abstract={Stuffed mussels, prepared by using Mediterranean mussels, rice, and spices, are widely favored as a traditional street food in Türkiye. Due to their filter-feeding, mussels may accumulate pathogens from aquatic environments. Moreover, inadequate hygiene during the preparation, storage, or sale of stuffed mussels may reduce their microbial quality and increase foodborne illness risks. Using mussel shell as a spoon may increase the risk of pathogens transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the hygienic quality of stuffed mussels sold in Aydın province. For this purpose, coliform levels and the presence of Escherichia coli were analyzed as indicator microorganisms. Additionally, the antibiotic resistance profiles of E. coli isolates were examined. A total of 250 stuffed mussel samples from 50 street vendors, 5 samples from each, were collected. The five mussels of each vendor were pooled to yield 50 composite samples for analysis. Coliform and E. coli were analyzed using conventional microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Coliform were detected in the edible part of the samples obtained from 21 vendors, on the shell surface from 18 vendors, and on both from 12 vendors. The mean level of contamination in positive samples determined as 2.42±0.95 log cfu/g for the edible parts and 1.72±0.72 log cfu/mL for the shell surfaces. E. coli was not detected on the shell samples, but one edible part sample was positive. The isolate showed resistance to ampicillin, cefoxitin, and gentamicin. These results underlined the need for improved hygiene practices, as stuffed mussels may pose a significant public health risk due to microbial contamination and antibiotic resistance.}, number={2}, organization={Bu çalışma, TÜBİTAK tarafından 2209-A Üniversite Öğrenci Araştırma Projeleri Destek Programı kapsamında desteklenmiştir.}