Analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination in chicken meat sold in traditional markets in Makassar, Indonesia

Esherichia coli O157: H7 is one of the pathogenic strains of E. coli, which causes enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and appears as a major source of food outbreaks. This study aimed to determine the contamination of E. coli O157:H7 by culture methods, in broiler chicken meat sold in Traditional Market in Makassar. Twenty-four chicken meat samples were taken from four traditional markets. Isolation and identification of Escherichia coli were carried out by the conventional culture method using the Eosin Methylene Blue Agar, then the identification of the E. coli O157:H7 using the Sorbitol MacConkey Agar. Results showed that 15 of 24 chicken meat samples were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The poor personal hygiene of sellers and dirty market environments concerned with causing contamination in chicken meat sold in the four traditional markets.