Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in Fresh Nile perch (Lates niloticus) handling at Kasenyi and Ggaba Landing Sites

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on fresh Nile perch handled from Kasenyi and Ggaba landing sites. A total of 150 Nile perch skin swab samples were obtained from 15 sampled fishers from the landing sites between January and February 2022 and were subjected to serial dilution followed by spread plate culture isolation for Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in all samples and a comparison was made on the mean Staphylococcus aureus load of the landing sites. The levels of Staphylococcus aureus load ranged from 6.53×106 cfu/ml to 7.20×107 cfu/ml with the lowest load recorded from Kasenyi landing site and the highest from Ggaba landing site. The S. aureus load is greater than the recommended microbial limits considered safe in the guidelines for the microbiological quality of various raw and ready to eat foods by UNBS and WHO. The study findings revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in mean Staphylococcus aureus microbial load between Kasenyi and Ggaba landing sites. Staphylococcal food borne disease is one of the most common food-borne diseases worldwide resulting from contamination of food by preformed Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins. Thirty (30) people living in the community of these landing sites were interviewed on Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning characteristics arising from eating Nile perch. The findings showed that 84% of the interviewed people from Ggaba landing site and 70% from Kasenyi land site have suffered Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning characteristics arising from eating Nile Perch. The study also involved assessment of the Nile perch handling activities between Kasenyi and Ggaba landing sites. Fifteen (15) fishers were observed basing on 4 guiding observatory questions. The findings showed that more than 50% of the fishers from Kasenyi observed good hygiene and handling practices unlike Ggaba landing site with less than 50% fishers observing the good hygiene practices. Sensitization and enforcement of the good hygiene and fish handling practices at the landing sites is recommended to ensure that the public obtains fish that is free from Staphylococcus aureus and other microbial pathogens.