AUTHOR=Attia Amira S. A. , Abou Elez Rasha M. M. , El-Gazzar Nashwa , Elnahriry Shimaa S. , Alfifi Ahmed , Al-Harthi Helal F. , Alkhalifah Dalal Hussien M. , Hozzein Wael N. , Diab Hassan Mohmoud , Ibrahim Doaa 

TITLE=Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with Mugil cephalus in retail fish markets concerning methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Aeromonas hydrophila

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1348973

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2024.1348973

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p><italic>Aeromonas hydrophila</italic> and methicillin-resistant <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> (MRSA) are potent bacterial pathogens posing major hazards to human health via consuming fish harboring these pathogens or by cross-contamination beyond the contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to determine risk variables associated with the presence of certain pathogenic bacteria from <italic>Mugil cephalus</italic> fish in retail markets in Egypt. The virulence genes of <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> and <italic>S. aureus</italic> were also studied. Furthermore, the antibiotic sensitivity and multidrug resistance of the microorganisms were evaluated.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>In a cross-sectional investigation, 370 samples were collected from mullet skin and muscle samples, washing water, fish handlers, knives, and chopping boards. Furthermore, fish handlers’ public health implications were assessed via their response to a descriptive questionnaire.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p><italic>S. aureus</italic> and <italic>Aeromonas</italic> species dominated the investigated samples with percentages of 26.76% and 30.81%, respectively. Furthermore, <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> and MRSA were the predominant recovered bacterial pathogens among washing water and knives (53.85% and 46.66%, respectively). The virulence markers <italic>aerA</italic> and <italic>hlyA</italic> were found in 90.7% and 46.5% of <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> isolates, respectively. Moreover, the virulence genes <italic>nuc</italic> and <italic>mec</italic> were prevalent in 80% and 60% of <italic>S. aureus</italic> isolates, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility results revealed that all <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and all MRSA isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and ampicillin. Remarkably, multiple drug resistance (MDR) patterns were detected in high proportions in <italic>A. hydrophila</italic> (88.37%) and MRSA (100%) isolates. The prevalence of <italic>Aeromonas</italic> spp. and <italic>S. aureus</italic> had a positive significant correlation with the frequency of handwashing and use of sanitizer in cleaning of instruments. MRSA showed the highest significant prevalence rate in the oldest age category.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The pathogenic bacteria recovered in this study were virulent and had a significant correlation with risk factors associated with improper fish handling. Furthermore, a high frequency of MDR was detected in these pathogenic bacteria, posing a significant risk to food safety and public health.</p></sec>