| Summary, etc |
The prevalence of shigella species in ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh produce and dried bush meat in Ogun state Nigeria was determined. 30 samples of fruits and vegetables consisting of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate), carrots (Daucus carota subsp. Sativus), Pineapple (Ananas cosmosus), Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), Lettuce (Lactuca<br/>sativa) were bought from three different stalls in Magboro, market Ogun state.55 dried bush meat samples was also screened for the presence of shigella consisting of Antelope (Bovidae), Guinea Fowl (Numidae), Alligator, Hedgehog (Erinaceinae), Wild Rabbit (orytolagus cuniculus), Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), Pangolin (pholidota), Sparrow(passeridae) Bush dog<br/>(lyacon pictus) , Monkey (cercopithecidae) , Porcupine( erithizon dorsatum), Hare (lepus)and Quail (corturnix cortunix). Shigella species were found in 16 (53.3%) of the fresh produce samples. While in dried bush meat shigella was present in 25 (45.45%) The highest quantity of Shigella was found in lettuce, cabbage, and carrot, indicating that the fresh produce had been<br/>heavily contaminated by pathogenic bacteria. PCR was used to validate the shigella species using 16sRNA. The fresh produce and dried bush meat samples examined in this study were severely contaminated with shigella species, which could be attributed to poor food handler cleanliness. The general people should be made aware of the safety and hygiene of fresh produce and bush<br/>meat from these sites. Keywords: Shigella species, , Fresh produce, Bush meat, Ready-to-eat, PCR. |
