ABSTRACT
A total number of 75 samples including 25 samples each of luncheon, minced frozen beef and sausage were collected from Assiut city [Upper Egypt] and examined bacteriologically for the presence of E. sakazakii and other Enterobacteriaceae genera and species by using the FDA enrichment procedure. In addition, a polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method for the rapid detection of E. sakazakii was adapted by using a set of primers designed from a region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. E. sakazakii was detected in 7 [28%] of sausage, but none of the luncheon and minced frozen beef samples were positive for E. sakazakii. Moreover, one false positive isolate was observed with FDA method. In contrast, PCR was highly sensitive and specific to E. sakazakii. E. cloacae were isolated from all samples, while E. agglomerans was detected only in luncheon samples. Also, 43 isolates related to family Enterobacteriaceae could be isolated including Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Hafnia alvei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, Kozaenae, K. planticola and Serratia marcescens. The public health importance of E. sakazakii and suggested control measures were discussed