STREET-VENDED FOODS

Background: Street-vended foods are a crucial and affordable source of nutrition for millions globally, particularly in developing urban areas. However, poor hygiene practices during preparation, handling, and storage pose significant public health risks. This study investigated the antibiotic resistance patterns and phenotypic virulence characteristics of bacterial pathogens isolated from various street-vended foods.Methods: A total of [Number, e.g., 150] street-vended food samples (including [list types of food, e.g., ready-to-eat meats, salads, rice dishes]) were randomly collected from [Location/City]. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against [Number] commonly prescribed antibiotics. Phenotypic virulence traits, including hemolysin production, biofilm formation, capsule production, and motility, were evaluated using specialized agar media and assays.Results: The predominant bacterial isolates identified were [e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.]. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling revealed alarming rates of resistance, particularly toward [Name 1-2 antibiotics, e.g., ampicillin and tetracycline], with [Percentage]% of the isolates classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Phenotypic characterization demonstrated high virulence potential among the isolates: [Percentage]% exhibited $\beta$-hemolytic activity, [Percentage]% were proficient biofilm formers, and [Percentage]% demonstrated active motility. A strong correlation was observed between biofilm-forming capabilities and resistance to critical-line antibiotics. Conclusion: The findings underscore that street-vended foods in [Location] serve as major reservoirs for virulent, multidrug-resistant bacteria. The coexistence of high phenotypic virulence and extensive antibiotic resistance among these isolates presents a severe threat to consumer safety and public health. There is an urgent need for stricter enforcement of food safety regulations, routine microbiological surveillance, and comprehensive hygiene training for food vendors to mitigate the risk of foodborne outbreaks.

Street-vended foods provide affordable nutrition for many urban populations but often serve as vehicles for food-borne pathogens capable of causing systemic health effects. This study investigated the effects of pathogens isolated from street-vended foods on the hematological parameters and oxidative stress markers of Wistar rats. Bacteria isolated from street-vended foods were obtained for this study and identified using molecular (polymerase chain reaction) technique. Thereafter, isolates were screened for phenotypic virulence characteristics (biofilm formation, haemolysin and gelatinase production) using standard techniques. Twenty-five wistar rats weighing 169.40g-175.01g were used. Enumeration and isolation of feed samples was done using serial dilution and pour plate techniques. After one week acclimatization, rats were randomly selected into five equal groups (control, W1,W2, X1 and X 2). Rats were experimentally infected with different concentrations (0.06ml and 0.1ml) of Escherichia coli (PX395408) and
Klebsiella pneumoniae (PX395409). After infection, changes in the weight of rats were determined weekly. Following sacrifice, blood and tissue samples were obtained for hematology and histopathological examination. The results revealed that E. coli exhibited β-hemolytic activity, was positive for biofilm formation, and negative for gelatinase production, while K. pnuemoniae showed γ-hemolytic activity and was negative for both biofilm and gelatinase production. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts of feed samples ranged from 5.35±0.07 to 6.90±1.56×10⁵ cfu/g, with isolates including Citrobacter spp and Klebsiella spp. The initial body weight of rats ranged from 169.00 ± 13.90 g to 175.00 ± 10.40 g, while the control group weighed 170.61 ± 4.90 g. After infection, the control rats gained weight steadily (189.35 ± 12.52g), whereas infected rats showed weight reduction, ranging from 125.76 ± 11.95 g to 145.02 ± 28.94 g, indicating systemic infection. Hematological analysis revealed that the control rats maintained normal values except for slightly higher white blood cell counts compared to infected groups. Rats infected with E. coli (0.06 mL) recorded higher red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels than the control, while platelet (PLT) counts significantly increased in K. pneumoniae-infected rats, particularly in the high-dose group (1315±546). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values, while other parameters showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Oxidative stress markers revealed that K. pneumonia infected rats exhibited elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating oxidative damage, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly increased in all infected groups. These findings demonstrate that E. coli and K. pnuemoniae from street-vended foods can induce hematological alterations, oxidative stress, and weight loss in Wistar rats, underscoring the need for improved food hygiene and stricter safety regulations.