Questioning the source of identified non-foodborne pathogens from food-contact wooden surfaces used in Hong Kong's urban wet markets

Abstract

In this study, a phylogenic analysis was performed on pathogens previously identified in Hong Kong wet markets' cutting boards. Phylogenetic comparisons were made between phylotypes obtained in this study and environmental and clinical phylotypes for establishing the possible origin of selected bacterial species isolated from wet market cutting board ecosystems. The results reveal a strong relationship between wet market bacterial assemblages and environmental and clinically relevant phylotypes. However, our poor knowledge of potential cross-contamination sources within these wet markets is further exacerbated by failing to determine the exact or presumed origin of its identified pathogens. In this study, several clinically relevant bacterial pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae , Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus porcinus were linked to cutting boards associated with pork; Campylobacter fetus , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , and A. caviae in those associated with poultry; and Streptococcus varanii , A. caviae , Vibrio fluvialis , and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in those associated with seafood. Identifying non-foodborne clinically relevant pathogens in wet market cutting boards in this study confirms the need for safety approaches for wet market meat, including cold storage. The presented study justifies the need for future systematic epidemiological studies to determine identified microbial pathogens. Such studies should bring about significant improvements in the management of hygienic practices in Hong Kong's wet markets and work towards a One Health goal by recognizing the importance of wet markets as areas interconnecting food processing with animal and clinical environments.

Sources and contamination routes of seafood with human pathogenic Vibrio spp.: A Farm‐to‐Fork approach

“…(2020), who analyzed the microbial profiles of biofilms on wooden cutting boards from 11 wet markets in Hong Kong and found natural surface presence of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus , which was later confirmed by Rao et al. (2021). Cutting boards represent hotspots for cross‐contamination ranging from food processing plants to the kitchens of consumers.…”

Characterization and Genetic Relationships of Vibrio spp. Isolated from Seafood in Retail Markets, Yala, Thailand

“…in seafood can occur in the environment and the periods of carrying or selling to consumers. Moreover, previous studies have reported the contamination of V. cholerae in food related to cross-contamination by seafood storage and handling [34][35][36] . This study revealed that there was the presence of V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus in seafood distributed in Mueang Yala, Yala province.…”

Bacteria of Zoonotic Interest Identified on Edible Freshwater Fish Imported to Australia

“…The Codex code of practice for fishery products fails to recognise pathogenic bacteria on the surface of uncooked thawed imported fish as a potential human health hazard. Contamination of hands, cutting surfaces and kitchen utensils prior to cooking is a significant threat and one which has been described in published literature [ 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 ]. Far from indigenous bacteria occurring in low numbers in the present study, bacteria C. testosteroni , Pseudomonas spp., V. fluvialis and Micrococcus sp.…”