Mountain Top University Library

Leafy green vegetables, including lettuce, are recognized as potential vehicles for foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 which is an emerging pathogen of increasing public health significance in most parts of the world. Fresh-cut lettuce is potentially at high risk of causing foodborne illnesses, as it is generally consumed without cooking. However, in order to access and control potential risks associated with the consumption of contaminated lettuce plants, this study has investigated the occurrence of E. coli pathotypes in lettuce plants grown in Ojo-Iba, Lagos, Nigeria.Twelve (12) lettuce samples used in this study were obtained from farms in Ojo-Iba axis, Lagos. Pathotypes of E. coli were isolated by means of cultural techniques and selective plating on Sorbitol MacConkeyAgar, biochemical characterization and also molecular characterization(Multiplex PCR).The results obtained from this study indicated that two of the lettuce samples examined were contaminated with Enterotoxigenic E. coli as the samples tested positive to StFp and StRp primers (Porcine est A virulence gene).In this study area, lettuce was considered as a major risk factor due to its association with E. coli pathotypes.The presence and survival of E. coli in lettuce obtained from farms call for public health concern both in Lagos and other parts of the world.