Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, and Associated Health Risks of Foodborne Pathogens in Street Foods Sold in Elementary Schools, Yaounde, Cameroon

Objectives: Street foods are an affordable source of nutrition in Cameroon; however, their association with microbial pathogens poses significant risk to public health. Methods: We investigated 160 street food samples sold within elementary schools for the presence of foodborne pathogens and also the antimicrobial resistance of cultured-confirmed bacteria isolates using the agar disk diffusion method. Results: The total viable count of seven (bread, spaghetti, fish, peanuts, eggs, beef, pepper) of the eight street foods examined (except beans sauce) were >105 cfu/g and indicated unsatisfactory levels for human consumption. In addition, 16 bacteria pathogens with at least one in each street food were identified: E. coli was the most prevalent 47.50% (76/160), followed by Staphylococcus aureus 39.37% (63/160) in foods such as beef 80% (16/20) and bread 85% (17/20). Salmonella spp. 32.50% (52/160), Campylobacter spp. 14.37% (23/160) and Shigella spp. 23.75% (38/160) were largely isolated in eggs 60% (12/20), 35% (7/10), and pepper 40% (8/20) sauces, respectively. Furthermore, except E. coli, all bacteria isolates were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Yersinia enterocolitica was the most susceptible to ciprofloxacin 90.90% (10/11), tetracycline 81.81% (9/11), gentamicin 81.81% (5/11), and chloramphenicol 90.09% (10/11). Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter spp., and E. coli were highly resistant to chloramphenicol 90.47% (57/63), tetracycline 82.60% (19/23), gentamicin 81.57% (62/76), and vancomycin 64.47% (49/76), respectively. Conclusion: The findings strongly indicated that preventable foodborne diseases of resistance to a wide range of antibiotics could be occurring among food handlers and young children in street food vending settings. In particular, the presence of coliforms in all street food samples indicated poor hygiene and sanitary practices in street food activities. It thus recommends effective implementation strategies to improve food safety and hygiene practices in street food vending within elementary schools in Cameroon.