Potential Human Pathogens (Bacteria) and their Antibiogram in Ready–to–eat Salads sold in Calabar, South-South, Nigeria

A total of 150 readyto-eat salad samples were collected from various sources in Calabar and analyzed bacteriologically using standard cultural methods. The samples included 50 from fast food centers, 50 from wedding reception parties and 50 from birthday reception parties all within Calabar metropolis between October 2006 and January 2007. All the bacterial isolates were characterized using the API system and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using the Agar diffusion method. The probable human pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus 35 (41.18%), Escherichia coli 21(24.71%), Klebsiella aerogenes 11(12.94%), Salmonella Enterica var Typhimurium 3(3.53%)., and Bacillus species15(17.65%). Rates of contamination in relation to the various sources were: samples from fast food centers 40.0%, birthday party samples 52.0% and 78.0% for samples from wedding reception parties. Antimicrobial susceptibilities ranged from 63.64% to 84.85%. These findings show that ready to eat salads are commonly contaminated with potential human pathogens that carry multiple atntimicrobial resistant genes. High standards of personal hygiene, pre-processing disinfection and proper storage temperatures should always be observed during preparation and distribution of fresh vegetable and fruit salads.