Risk Factors Associated with Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in Rural Households of Colorado with and without Ruminant Animals

摘要

Ruminants are one of the reservoirs for Listeria, Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7, and therefore a potential source of contamination for the household environment. Understanding consumer behavior may help in reducing infections caused by thesemicroorganisms. This study evaluated consumer behaviors in households with/without ruminants, which may be related to increased prevalence of these pathogens. The study was completed over a three-year period, with samples collected during years 1 and 3.Rural Colorado households were recruited, and samples (food, environmental, and fecal) were collected and tested for Listeria, Salmonella and E coli O1 57:H7 presence. Participants answered surveys regarding household cleaning habits and food/animal handling. None of the samples tested positive for H. coli O157:H7, while Salmonella was isolated only from households with ruminants. Listeria spp. was isolated from all types of samples with higher, but not significant (p>= 0.05), prevalence in householdswith ruminants. L. monocytogenes was isolated mainly from food samples. Seven indices were developed from survey information and were statistically analyzed for relationships, with the outcome ol a sample positive lor Listeria as the dependent variable.Behavior related to handling and cooking of perishable foods affected (P < O.O5) the probability of households testing positive for Listeria, regardless of ruminant presence. Personal cleanliness habits were associated with presence of Listeria on shoe soles, clothes washing machines, and gloves used for farming activities. Consumer education should include proper food and animal handling practices, as well as proper cleaning of shoes and clothes, in order to reduce the prevalence of Listeria in the household.