Isolation and Characterization of Nontyphoid Salmonella From Hospital Food Handlers in Beijing, China

Salmonella enterica isolates recovered from stool samples of healthy food handlers in two hospital dining halls in Beijing, China were characterized by serotyping, susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Our data showed that 9.5% (29/305) of food handlers in these two dining halls were Salmonella carriers. Twenty‐nine isolates were grouped into five serotypes including Agona, Derby, Enteritidis, Infantis and Senftenberg. All six Enteritidis isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. Identical PFGE patterns were identified from food handlers in the same dining hall that indicated the possible transmission of Salmonella among food handlers and to customers. Our findings underscore the importance of food hygiene education and regular health examination among food handlers in dining halls in China. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Food handlers in dining halls should be considered as a high‐risk group for Salmonella carrier state in China. Food hygiene education and regular health examination among food handlers in dining halls should be carried out.