OCCURRENCE OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS IN FISH SOLD IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

• Published in: Journal of food safety 2010-02, Vol.30 (1), p.94-110
• Main Authors: DA SILVA, MIRIAM LOPES, ROGÉRIO MATTÉ, GLAVUR, GERMANO, PEDRO MANUEL LEAL, MATTÉ, MARIA HELENA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Commerce; Commercialization; E coli; Fish; Food contamination & poisoning; Food industries; Food safety; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Health; Health risk assessment; Hygiene and safety; International trade; Markets; Pathogens; Risk; Salmonella; Staphylococcus infections; Studies; Vibrio
• ISSN: 0149-6085; 1745-4565
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-4565.2009.00192.x

ABSTRACT This study investigated the presence of potentially human pathogenic strains of Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus in fish commercialized in street markets of São Paulo city, Brazil. Twenty fish of different species were analyzed for foodborne pathogens using conventional methods. High levels of fecal contamination were detected in 25% of samples. S. aureus was isolated from 10% of samples. All were negative for Salmonella. Vibrio species, including Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139, were observed in 85% of samples although Vibrio parahaemolyticus was not found in this study. Aeromonas spp., including A. hydrophila, was isolated from 50% of fish samples. The occurrence of these pathogens suggests that the fish commercialized in São Paulo may represent a health risk to the consumers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Fish and fish products represent an important vehicle of gastrointestinal infection in the world. International trade in fish and its derivatives has grown substantially over the last decades and continue to expand; requiring rigorous sanitary control. The integration of world‐wide commerce, among other reasons, has led to increased fish consumption around world Moreover, healthier lifestyles and cultural globalization have popularized the consumption of raw fish dishes, which were historically restricted to oriental countries. This study suggests that fish can represent health risks.