Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges
Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens represents a critical global health challenge, with food handlers serving as key contributors in their transmission. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of three...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Gustavo Guimarães Fernandes Viana Marita Vedovelli Cardozo Juliano Gonçalves Pereira Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi |
| author_facet | Gustavo Guimarães Fernandes Viana Marita Vedovelli Cardozo Juliano Gonçalves Pereira Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi |
| author_sort | Gustavo Guimarães Fernandes Viana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens represents a critical global health challenge, with food handlers serving as key contributors in their transmission. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of three major pathogens, <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp., among food handlers worldwide. Analysis of studies across diverse geographical regions reveals considerable variation in colonization rates, with <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. prevalence ranging from 19.5% to 95.0%, <i>Escherichia coli</i> from 2.8% to 89.3%, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. from 0.07% to 9.1%. Resistance profiles demonstrate alarming trends, including widespread β-lactam resistance and emerging resistance to last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems. Particularly concerning is the high occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers in low- and middle-income countries. This review identified inadequate handwashing, poor hygiene infrastructure, and asymptomatic carriage as critical factors facilitating the transmission of antimicrobial resistant strains. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance systems, targeted decolonization strategies, improved hygiene protocols, and food handler education to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens through the food chain. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c1285a7b095144c0a3dca3d486236e5d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-c1285a7b095144c0a3dca3d486236e5d2025-08-20T01:56:44ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-05-0114549610.3390/pathogens14050496Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation ChallengesGustavo Guimarães Fernandes Viana0Marita Vedovelli Cardozo1Juliano Gonçalves Pereira2Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi3Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-681, SP, BrazilDepartment of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-681, SP, BrazilDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University Vila Velha (UVV), Av. Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n.21, Vila Velha 29102-920, ES, BrazilAntimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens represents a critical global health challenge, with food handlers serving as key contributors in their transmission. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of three major pathogens, <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp., among food handlers worldwide. Analysis of studies across diverse geographical regions reveals considerable variation in colonization rates, with <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp. prevalence ranging from 19.5% to 95.0%, <i>Escherichia coli</i> from 2.8% to 89.3%, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. from 0.07% to 9.1%. Resistance profiles demonstrate alarming trends, including widespread β-lactam resistance and emerging resistance to last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems. Particularly concerning is the high occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers in low- and middle-income countries. This review identified inadequate handwashing, poor hygiene infrastructure, and asymptomatic carriage as critical factors facilitating the transmission of antimicrobial resistant strains. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance systems, targeted decolonization strategies, improved hygiene protocols, and food handler education to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens through the food chain.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/496antibiotic resistancefoodborne pathogensfood safetyhygiene practicesone health |
| spellingShingle | Gustavo Guimarães Fernandes Viana Marita Vedovelli Cardozo Juliano Gonçalves Pereira Gabriel Augusto Marques Rossi Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges Pathogens antibiotic resistance foodborne pathogens food safety hygiene practices one health |
| title | Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges |
| title_full | Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges |
| title_short | Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Food Handlers: A Global Review of Persistence, Transmission, and Mitigation Challenges |
| title_sort | antimicrobial resistant i staphylococcus i spp i escherichia coli i and i salmonella i spp in food handlers a global review of persistence transmission and mitigation challenges |
| topic | antibiotic resistance foodborne pathogens food safety hygiene practices one health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/496 |
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