Escherichia coli y COLIFORMES TOTALES EN SUPERFICIES INERTES DEL PATIO DE COMIDAS DEL TERMINAL TERRESTRE CUENCA- ECUADOR

Abstract

Foodborne diseases are considered an emerging global public health problem by the World Health Organization. These diseases negatively impact food production and increase public health expenditures. Inert surfaces play an essential role in the development of pathogenic microorganisms during food preparation and service. For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine and quantify the presence and load of Escherichia coli and total coliform strains on inert surfaces in the food court of the bus terminal in Cuenca-Ecuador. A quantitative, cross- sectional, and descriptive observational study was conducted involving 17 food service establishments. To evaluate the relationship between the variables included in the study, the statistical program SPSS 26.0 was used, using inferential parametric tests (Kolmogorov-Smirnov p=0.000), student's t-test to compare equality of means, and chi-square (X^2) with a significance level of p < 0.05. Isolates of total coliforms on regular inert surfaces accounted for 51.8% of the total; for Escherichia coli, 64.3%; and for irregular inert surfaces, 48.2% and 35.7%, respectively. In summary, the study revealed that most inert surfaces that come into contact with food are microbially contaminated.