Research Journal of Microbiology1816-4935xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/jm.2008.423.428Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Vegetable Food Chain in Ghana]]>DonkorEric S. LanyoRichard AkyehMoses L. KayangBoniface B. QuayeJonathan 6200836The study was carried out to assess the occurrence of
Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the vegetable food chain in Accra,
the capital city of Ghana. A total of 272 samples of various types of
vegetables were screened for Escherichia coli and Escherichia
coli O157:H7 using standard microbiological methods. In addition,
80 samples of water used for irrigation, 40 manure soil samples and 250
stool samples of various livestock were also screened. Overall, a total
of 243 (37.9%) Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from all
the specimens screened. The overall prevalence rates of Escherichia
coli for vegetables were 35.3 and 29.4% for external and internal
vegetable parts, respectively. The prevalence rates of Escherichia
coli for irrigation water, manured soils and livestock faeces were
26.3, 52.5 and 24%, respectively. Overall, only one Escherichia coli
isolate from irrigation water was detected to be Escherichia coli
O157:H7 which translates to an overall prevalence rate of 0.4% among the
Escherichia coli population. The study shows that Escherichia
coli O157:H7 is present in the vegetable food chain in Accra but is
relatively uncommon. Despite the low prevalence of the organism and its
isolation from only irrigation water, the findings of the study call for
public health attention owing to the very low infectious dose of Escherichia
coli O157:H7 and the common practice of vegetable irrigation.]]>Aning, K.G., E. Sampane-Donkor and A. Omore,2002Badrakh, A., T. Chultemdorji, T. Tserendorj, D. Vanya, C. Dalaijamts, R. Hagan, S. Govind and E. Shinee,20086141148Baron, J.E., L.R. Peterson and S.M. Finegold,19949th Edn.,Bryan, F.L.,1982CDC,2006Escherichia coli O157:H7.]]>Cote, C. and S. Quessy,2005Escherichia coli and Salmonella in surface soil following application of liquid hog manure for production of pickling cucumbers.]]>68900905Doyle, M.P. and J.L. Schoeni,1984Escherichia coli as associated with hemorrhagic colitis.]]>48855856Doyle, M.P.,1991Escherichia coli O157:H7 and its significance in foods.]]>12289301Marshall, R.T.,199216th Edn.,Mukhejee, A., D. Speh and F. Diez-Gonzalez,2007Escherichia coli contamination in pre-harvest produce grown in Minnesota and Wisconsin.]]>120296302Petridis, H., G. Kidder and A. Ogram,2002Escherichia coli O157:H7 A Potential Health Concern.]]>Rai, P.K. and B.D. Tripathi,200717389395Riley, L.W., R.S. Remis, S.D. Helgerson, H.B. McGee and J.G. Wells et al.,1983Escherichia coli serotype.]]>308681685Solomon, E.B., S. Yaron and K.R. Mathews,2002Escherichia coli 0157: H7 from contaminated manure and irrigation water to lettuce plant tissue and its subsequent internalization.]]>68397400Wachtel, M.R., L.C. Whitehand and R.E. Mandrell,2002Escherichia coli O157:H7 with preharvest leaf lettuce upon exposure to contaminated irrigation water.]]>651825Wachtel, M.R., L.C. Whitehand and R.E. Mandrell,2002Escherichia coli associated with a cabbage crop inadvertently irrigated with partially treated sewage wastewater.]]>65471475