Bacteriological and parasitological analysis of stool among catering professionals in a food industry in Mali

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of bacteriological and parasitological carriage of stools among professionals in the collective catering of the Bramali Company. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study of three years of stool samples. It was carried out in catering professionals assigned to the canteen of the Bramali Company. Samples were taken periodically every six months. The data was entered on Excel Microsoft 365 software and analyzed on Epi-info 7.2.4.0. The chi2 test was used for the statistical links. The risk of error threshold was 5% (p<0.05). Results: Twelve workers were followed, composed mainly of women (83.3%). The average age was 35.8 years. ¾ of the workers had more than 5 years of seniority in the position. Sixty stool samples were taken from these workers and seven were carriers of germs (11.7%). The samples carrying bacteria and parasites represented respectively 3.4% (n=2) and 5% (n=3). Entamoeba histolytica cysts were the most listed (42.8%), followed by Candida albicans (28.6%) and Salmonella sp (28.6%). No statistical link (p˃0.05) was found between the carrying of germs and, the place of residence, the sex, the seniority at the post, the educational level.

Conclusion: This study has shown the importance of controlling agents working in the food chain. That's why, strict compliance with hygiene measures in collective catering must be rigorous. This would prevent the spread of faecal peril diseases in the workplace.