Detection of E. coli O157H7 Strains Potentially paThogenic to Humans in the urine of Domestic Mice in the City of Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

House mice, Mus musculus, are classified as one of the most widespread mammals in the world. They harbor and spread many zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses (hantavirus), bacteria (Leptospira interrogans), protozoa (Toxoplasma gondii) and helminths (Hymenolepis spp.). In view of the real public health problems caused by mouse urine in the contamination of domestic foods, this study proposed to contribute to food safety by assessing the sanitary risk of the urinary microbiome of domestic mice. Bacteria were isolated and identified on CHROMAgarTM Orientation, Chromo E. coli O157H7 culture media and biochemical tests from urine samples collected from house mice in the city of Daloa. A total of 28 urine samples were tested and three bacterial genera Enterococcus, Stapphylococcus and Escherichia were identified with overall frequencies of occurrence of 60.7 %, 42.9 % and 35.7 % respectively. No significant differences were observed between these frequencies. Within the E. coli strain lineage, the potentially human pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 serotype was detected with an overall frequency of 50 %. The presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the urinary tract of house mice therefore represent a health risk for the surrounding population. This study therefore recommends through its results, the implementation of good hygiene practices for food safety, which can reduce the risks of transmission of microbial agents.