Molecular surveillance and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial contamination in pastries of Iranian confectioneries: a public health concern

A total of 56 isolates (46.66%) were recovered from 120 pastries samples, The most prevalent species isolated in the current study were <i>S. aureus</i> 12 isolates (21.43%), <i>M. luteus</i> 7 isolates (12.5%), <i>E. coli</i> 7 isolates (12.5%), <i>S. warneri</i> 6 isolates (11.12%), 6 isolates of <i>S. succinus</i> (11.12%), <i>B. cereus</i> 5 isolates (10.7%), Nocardia 4 isolates (7.15%), K. pneumoniae 3 isolates (5.35%), S. epidermidis 3 isolates (5.35%), and <i>E. faecium</i> 3 isolates (5.35%). The isolates showed the most sensitivity to imipenem and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the least sensitivity to erythromycin and tetracycline. The AST showed that 7 isolates of <i>S. aureus</i> were MRSA, 3 isolates of <i>E. coli</i> and, 2 isolates of <i>K. pneumoniae</i> were identified as ESBL. In conclusion, the results of the current study showed that the microbial contamination of pastries produced in confectionaries of Markazi province was not in standard ranges. These problems may be related to fecal contamination of pastries or lack of hygiene by handlers and it is urgent to develop the standards of hygiene of food handling techniques and aseptic pastry production in confectioneries.