Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 Presence in Lettuce Served for Consumption in Aydın Province

Abstract

In this study, the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated for the first time in lettuce samples taken from the neighborhood markets and markets in Aydın, and isolation and identification studies were carried out. Since E. coli O157:H7, which is important for public health, is one of the food-borne pathogenic microorganisms, it is aimed to create an important data source for regions with similar climatic characteristics with the prevalence and contamination status of the pathogen. As a result of isolation and identification studies of 100 lettuce samples taken from neighborhood markets and markets, a total of 17 (17%) E. coli O157:H7 samples were isolated and identified from all samples, 12 (12%) of pathogens were from markets, 5 (5%) were were obtained from samples taken from the markets. In line with the results obtained, it was stated that while the lettuce purchased from markets and markets poses a risk in terms of the presence of E. coli O157:H7, it is stated that preventive measures should be taken in the stages of cultivation, fertilization, irrigation, transportation and storage.