Toxin gene and antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus isolated from kitchen cleaning tools in child care centers

Abstract

This study analyzed the toxin genes and antibiotic resistance of foodpoisoning bacteria isolated from dishcloths and scourers in child care centers. Two S. aureus and five B. cereus strains isolated from dishcloths and scourers, respectively, were used in this study. The toxin genes of S. aureus and B. cereus were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Antibiotic resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute criteria. Toxin gene analysis revealed the presence of sei and seg toxin genes in S. aureus isolated from dishcloths and scourers. All five B. cereus strains possessed the nheA, nheB, nheC, hblA, hblC, and hblD enterotoxin genes that cause diarrhea. The entFM enterotoxin gene was detected in three of the five isolates, but the cytK enterotoxin gene and ces vomiting toxin gene were not detected. S. aureus and B. cereus isolated from kitchen cleaning tools were found to be multidrug-resistant strains that were resistant to five to eight antibiotics. Therefore, thorough sterilization and disinfection of dishcloths and scourers is required to prevent S. aureus and B. cereus from contaminating cooking utensils.Keywords kitchen cleaning tools, child care center, food-borne pathogens, toxin characteristics, antibiotic resistance