Critical control points for meat balls and kibbe preparations in a hospital kitchens

Hazards and critical control points (CCP) associated with meat balls and kibbe preparations in a hospital kitchen were determined using flow diagrams and microbiological testing of samples collected along the production line. Microbiological testing included counts of mesophilic and psicrothrophic microorganisms, yeasts and molds, total and fecal coliforms, "C. perfingens", coagulase positive staphylococci, bacteria of the "B cereus" group and detection of "Salmonella". Time/temperature binomial was measured in all steps of preparation. A decision tree was used to help in the determination of CCPs. The detected hazards were: contamination of raw meat and vegetables, multiplication of the microorganisms during meat manipulation, poor hygiene of utensils and equipment, and survival of microorganisms to the cooking process. Cooking and hot-holding were considered CCPs. The results stress the importance of the implementation of a training program for nutritionists and foodhandlers and the monitoring of CCPs and other measures to prevent foodborne diseases

Aeromonas species isolated from pintado fish (Pseudoplatystoma SP): virulence factors and drug susceptibility

Aeromas has been described as an emergent foodborne pathogen of increasing importance. In this study, we report that 48(per cent) of 50 Pintado fish samples collected at the retail market of São Paulo city were positive for Aeromas sp, as detected by the direct plating method. When the presence/absence method was used, the positivity was 42(per cent). A caviae was the most frequent species, followed by A. hydrophila and A. sobria. Production of cytotoxic enterotoxin, observed in suckling mouse assay, was detected in 67(per cent) of A sobria strains, in 60(per cent) of A. hydrophila strains and in 40(per cent) of A. caviae strains. In vitro tests, performed with HEp-2 cells, showed that 88(per cent) of A. hydrophila, 27(per cent) of A. sobria and 13(per cent) of A. caviae strains were positive for this toxin. The in vivo production of cytotonic enterotoxin, tested after heating the filtrates at 56degreeC for 20 minutes, was detected in 17(per cent) of A. sobria, in 10(per cent) of A. caviae and in none of A. hydrophila strains in vivo. All analyzed strains did not alter HEp-2 cells. 20(per cent) and 16(per cent) of A. sobria and A. caviae isolates, respectively, presented capacity to adhere to HEp-2 cells. In counterpart, invasion of HEp-2 cells was not observed in any isolate. The Aeromonas isolates were sensitive to the majority of the antimicrobiol agents tested.