Antibiotic resistance has increased in recent years, raising the concern of public health authorities. We conducted a study of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from human and food samples to assess the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and to determine the genotype and clonal relationship of 84 E. coli isolates (48 from humans and 36 from foods). An antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the disk diffusion method. Virulence factors were evaluated by multiplex PCR, and the clonal relationship among the resistant isolates was studied by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone. Overall, 26%, 20.2%, 15.4% and 6% of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and cephalotin, respectively. Twenty two percent of the isolates exhibited resistance to more than one antimicrobial agent. Multiple-drug resistance was mostly observed in the human isolates and involved the antibiotics ampicillin and tetracycline. None of the six virulence genes were identified among the isolates. Analysis of genetic diversity by PFGE of 31 resistant isolates, revealed 29 distinct restriction patterns. In conclusion, E. coli from humans and foods are resistant to commonly used antibiotics and are highly genetically diverse. In this setting, inappropriate use of antibiotics may be a cause of high resistance rate instead of clonal spread.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o comércio de queijo de coalho na orla marítima de Salvador (BA) na perspectiva do trabalho infantil e da segurança de alimentos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com entrevista de 40 vendedores, menores de 18 anos, e análise microbiológica de 80 amostras de queijo, 40 cruas e 40 assadas, submetidas aos seguintes procedimentos: contagem de micro-organismos aeróbios mesófilos e anaeróbios facultativos e estafilococos coagulase-positiva, estimativa do número mais provável de coliformes totais e termotolerantes Escherichia coli e pesquisa de Salmonella spp. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos vendedores era do sexo masculino (75%), estudantes (95%), com aproximadamente 14 anos. Como principais motivos para o trabalho estavam a complementação na renda familiar e a ocupação. A atividade ocorria, sobretudo, nos finais de semana, gerando renda entre meio e um salário-mínimo. Em média, a jornada diária era de 7 horas e o tempo na atividade de 21,6 meses. O queijo procedia de fornecedores informais e era mantido à temperatura ambiente, sendo registrados descuidos e noções insuficientes dos vendedores quanto à higiene de alimentos. Amostras cruas apresentaram contaminações expressivas por micro-organismos aeróbios mesófilos, estafilococos coagulase-positiva e por coliformes e termotolerantes, média de 8,14 e 1,95 log UFC/g e 4,3 log NMP/g; amostras assadas, na mesma ordem, registraram: 6,47 e 1,00 log UFC/g e 2,09 log NMP/g. Escherichia coli e Salmonella spp. também foram identificadas: 95% das amostras cruas e 50% das assadas classificaram-se como não conformes. CONCLUSÃO: Confirmam-se o trabalho infantil e a insegurança microbiológica para o queijo de coalho nas praias de Salvador (BA), e sinaliza-se a necessidade de intervenção.

OBJECTIVE: This study characterized the trade of queijo de coalho (a type of curd) on the coastline of Salvador (BA), from the perspective of child labor and food safety. METHODS: This cross-sectional study interviewed 40 vendors, all aged less than 18 years, and performed the following microbiological analysis of 80 queijo de coalho samples, 40 raw and 40 roasted: facultatively anaerobic mesophile and coagulase-positive staphylo cocci counts, estimate of the most probable number and thermotolerant coliforms/Escherich and Salmonella spp. RESULTS: Most vendors were male (75%) students (95%), with an average age of 14 years. The main reasons for working were to supplement family income and have an occupation. They worked mainly on weekends, generating an income of 50% to 100% of the Brazilian minimum salary. On average, they worked 7 hours a day and had been working for 21.6 months. Queijo de coalho was bought from informal suppliers and kept at room temperature. The vendors were careless and not knowledgeable about food hygiene. Raw samples were significantly contaminated by facultatively anaerobic mesophile, coagulase-positive staphylococci and by thermotolerant coliforms averaging 8.14 and 1.95 log CFU/g and 4.30 log MPN/g; likewise, roasted samples averaged 6.47 and 1.00 log CFU/g and 2.09 log MPN/g. Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were also identified 95% and 50% of the raw and roasted samples, respectively, were classified as nonconforming. CONCLUSION: Child labor and microbiological hazard are associated with the queijo de coalho sold on the beaches of Salvador (BA), indicating the need of intervention.

Objetivo Avaliar a segurança da produção de alimentos em escolas atendidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, em Salvador (BA). Métodos Realizou-se um estudo transversal, com aplicação de formulários elaborados com base na Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada nº 216/04 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária/Ministério da Saúde, em amostra estratificada formada por 235 escolas atendidas pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, contemplando a rede estadual e municipal de ensino da cidade de Salvador. No formulário, os itens avaliados apresentavam pontuação diferenciada em função do grau de risco associado à segurança dos alimentos. De acordo com a pontuação obtida, as escolas foram classificadas em cinco grupos em relação à condição higiênico-sanitária: crítico; insatis-fatório; regular; bom e excelente. Resultados Na avaliação global de adequação, 57,0% (134) das unidades apresentaram condições insatisfatórias, 42,6% (100) regulares e 0,4% (1) boa. Os itens que mais contribuíram para o baixo desempenho estão relacionados aos seguintes blocos: edificação, instalações, equipamentos, móveis e utensílios; higienização; abastecimento de água; manipuladores de alimentos; preparo dos alimentos e exposição do alimento preparado para consumo. Em condição intermediária de atendimento ficaram os blocos controle integrado de vetores e pragas urbanas, manejo de resíduos e matérias-primas, ingredientes e embalagens. Conclusão Verificou-se elevado nível de não conformidade quanto ao atendimento dos requisitos sanitários vigentes, o que evidencia falhas na segurança da produção da alimentação escolar. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de adoção de medidas corretivas com vistas a reduzir riscos à saúde das crianças assistidas e aumentar a eficiência do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar, no município de Salvador (BA).

Objective The objective of this study was to assess if the foods prepared in the schools of Salvador, Bahia, that participate in the National School Food Program are safe. Methods A cross-sectional study was done through the administration of forms based on the Resolução de DiretoriaColegiada nº 216/04 of the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency/Ministry of Health to a stratified sample consisting of 235 schools serviced by National School Food Program, which included the state and municipal schools of Salvador. The items assessed by the form were scored according to their risk in terms of food safety. Based on their scores, the schools were then classified into five groups according to their level of hygiene and sanitation: critical, unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good and excellent. Results In the global adequacy assessment, 57% (134) of the schools presented unsatisfactory hygiene and sanitation levels, 42.6% (100) presented satisfactory levels and 0.4% (1) presented good levels. The items that contributed most for the poor performance of many schools were grouped in the following categories: building, facilities, equipment, furniture and appliances, hygiene, piped water supply, food handlers, food preparation and exposed ready-to-eat foods. The groups that had some influence on poor performance were associated with the control of urban vectors and pests, management of wastes and raw materials, ingredients and packages. Conclusion A high level of non-conformity with the current sanitation requirements was verified, evidencing that the preparation of school foods was not entirely safe. The results indicate that corrective measures are necessary to reduce health risks and increase the efficiency of National School Food Program in the city of Salvador.