It has been reported that globally we have achieved Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Target 7C, to halve the proportion of the population without access to safe drinking water; however, there is a major flaw with this statement. While Target 7C calls for access to `safe' drinking water, what is actually being measured and reported is access to an `improved' water source. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that they must use this proxy measure because the methods for water quality testing are too expensive and logistically complicated, but by doing so, they may be over reporting safe water coverage. This was shown to be true in Tamatave, Madagascar, where thermotolerant coliforms were detected in water from a type of `improved' source, the Pitcher Pump system. This research looked at several parameters - Pitcher Pump system depth, sampling neighborhood, requirement of pump priming, frequency that the system was repaired, distance from on-site sanitation, and number of users - to see if they were influencing water quality. Of all the parameters tested, only priming was found to be significantly associated with the levels of thermotolerant coliforms detected (Fisher exact test p = 0.03). Using a Mann-Whitney U test, it was shown that the median thermotolerant coliform concentration was significantly higher in primed wells (41.3 cfu/100 ml) than unprimed wells (3.5) (p = 0.01 cfu/100 ml). A pilot study was conducted to look at only the effect of depth and to determine if a depth could be identified that could provide safe drinking water. The result of the pilot study showed that, while thermotolerant coliform concentration did decrease with increasing depth, even at the deepest well of 9.4 m, levels were still above 100 cfu/100 ml. Additional research was conducted to investigate the performance and cost of three test kits for both total coliform and Escherichia coli quantification for water quality analysis in developing countries. IDEXX Colilert Quanti-trays[reg] (Colilert), Micrology Laboratories Coliscan[reg] Membrane Filtration tests (Coliscan MF) and a modified method for 3-M PetrifilmTM Coliform/E. coli plates (modified 3-M) were compared with standard membrane filtration (standard MF) methods under a range of incubation temperature conditions (22.0, 35.0 and 44.5[deg]C). Each test method was also performed by inexperienced volunteers, with the results compared to those of an experienced technician. At non-standard temperatures, Coliscan MF proved to be the most accurate when compared to standard methods, with a significant difference with only total coliforms at 44.5[deg]C. Modified 3-M had the poorest correlation with standard MF over the range of temperatures tested, with significant differences noted for all the temperatures except for E. coli at 44.5[deg]C. Inexperienced university volunteers found Colilert easiest to use, but Coliscan MF produced E. coli results that were most similar to the experts. Coliscan MF was found to have the overall best performance and lowest cost in this study; however, it did produce high numbers of false positive results.

This study was conducted to determine if alternative heating times and slower cooling times, other than those defined by FSIS, could be utilized and still comply with FSIS performance standards. Large (10.43 to 12.25 kg), cured bone-in hams (n = 190) and large (greater than or equal to 9.07 kg), uncured beef inside rounds (n = 180) were utilized in a two-phase study. Phase 1 of the study investigated the effect of alternative lethality parameters on toxin production of Staphylococcus aureus and log reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium and coliforms. Both the hams and roast beef were subjected to 1 of 10 treatments defined by varying final internal product temperatures (48.9 degrees C, 54.4 degrees C, 60.0 degrees C, 65.6 degrees C, or 71.1 degrees C) and smokehouse relative humidities (50% or 90%). Phase 2 investigated the effect of alternative stabilization parameters on log growth of Clostridium perfringens. Stabilization treatments extended the times taken to reduce internal product temperature from 54.4 degrees C to 26.7 degrees C and from 26.7 degrees C to 7.2 degrees C (ham) or 4.5 degrees C (beef), independently. Further, a control treatment following current FSIS, Appendix B guidelines was conducted for ham, and a "worst case" scenario was assessed for both products. The "worst case" treatment evaluated the effects of cooling products at room temperature (approximately 22.8 degrees C) in place of normal cooling procedures in a temperature controlled environment. Results of the study showed at least a 6.5-log10 reduction in S. Typhimurium across all lethality treatments for both products. Further, coliform counts also were reduced significantly, and S. aureus toxin kits returned negative results for toxin production for all treatments of ham and roast beef. Stabilization showed less than 1-log growth of C. perfringens for any treatment, with the exception of the "worst case" scenario for roast beef. As expected, > 1 log growth of C. perfringens was found for uncured roast beef maintained at room temperature for cooling. This study supports that there are multiple time and temperature combinations, other than those currently provided by FSIS, which may be utilized for cooking and cooling large roast beef and bone-in ham products while still meeting FSIS lethality and stabilization microbiological performance standards.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 117 pages. / Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Bacterial source tracking (BST) methods often involve the use of phenotypic or genotypic fingerprinting techniques to compare indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli isolated from unknown sources against a library of fingerprints from indicator bacteria found in the feces of various known source animals. The predictive capability of a library is based in part on how well the library isolates reflect the true population diversity of indicator bacteria that can potentially impact a water body. The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior of E. coli population structures in the feces of humans, beef cattle and horses across different parameters. Ribotyping and antibiotic resistance analysis were used to "fingerprint", or subtype E. coli isolates. Significantly greater diversity was observed in the E. coli population of horses compared to the human or beef cattle sampled. / ABSTRACT: Subtype sharing between individuals from all host categories was infrequent, therefore the majority of E. coli subtypes were sampled from a single individual. The dominant E. coli populations of nine individuals (three per host source category) were monitored over time, which demonstrated that E. coli subtypes within a host individual vary on a monthly time frame, and an increase in the frequency of subtype sharing was noted between individuals within the same source group over time. The E. coli population of a single human that had just finished antibiotic treatment was studied on a daily basis for one month. The loss of an E. coli subtype with high antibiotic resistance was observed over time, however there was a single dominant E. coli subtype that was present at every sampling event during the entire month. Geographic distinctiveness of E. coli populations was investigated by sampling four herds located in different geographical regions. We observed that E. / ABSTRACT: coli populations are not geographically distinct, but are somewhat individual-specific, as most E. coli isolates had a subtype that was found in a single individual. This study defines factors that should be considered when constructing a successful BST library, and suggests that E. coli may not be the appropriate indicator organism for BST. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Previous studies have shown that low-income Latinos frequently drink bottled water instead of tap water and might be at increased risk for dental caries from unfluoridated bottled water. The goals of this study were to: 1) determine if a difference exists between grab samples of municipal tap water and bottled water used by families in Nogales, Arizona in chemical and microbial contaminants; 2) understand the risk perceptions these low-income families have about both their publically supplied tap water, bottled/vended water; and 3) examine whether families have adequate fluoride levels in their drinking water for optimal dental health. Tap and bottled water samples were collected from thirty of these households for analysis of drinking-water contaminants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Bottled water included small (0.5 L) and large (3.8 L), individually sealed water bottles as well as water vended into reusable containers from self-service vending machines or from water stores. Some of the large bottles were purchased sealed, but had been previously opened and partially consumed by study participants. In addition to the 30 households mentioned above, an additional sixty low-income Latino households, who primarily drink bottled water, were also recruited for this study to complete a questionnaire on risk perceptions related to drinking water consumption, water storage practices, and fluoride supplementation. There were no significant differences in the concentration of chemical contaminants between tap, bottled and vended water, and none of the chemical concentrations exceeded USEPA regulations. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was confirmed in 3% (1/30) of tap, 0% (0/8) of sealed bottled, 40% (2/5) of previously opened bottled, and 35% (6/17) of vended water samples. One of the 3 samples collected directly from a vending machine had an E. coli concentration of 0.33 CFU/100 mL. None of the 10 samples collected directly from sealed bottles purchased directly from the store had any E. coli detected. While no significant differences were observed in the chemical quality of water samples, results suggest that secondary contamination in the home contributes to higher levels of E.coli in water from partially consumed larger water bottles or water stored in reusable containers. Families who reported cleaning large reusable water containers with soap or hot water had significantly lower E.coli (p=0.003) in their drinking water than those who rinsed with only water. Respondents viewed bottled water to be significantly safer to consume than tap water (p<0.001). On a Likert scale from 1 (low risk) to 5 (high risk), "drinking tap water in Nogales, Arizona" received an average score of 4.7, which was significantly higher than the average perceived risk of smoking (µ= 3.5, p<0.001) or of "drinking tap water in San Francisco, California" (µ= 3.4, p<0.001), and as risky as "drinking and driving" (µ= 4.8, p=1.00) and "drinking tap water in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico" (µ= 4.8, p=1.00). Additionally, 98% (88/90) of respondents feared that drinking local tap water could result in illness. The majority of respondents (79%, 71/90) did not drink their tap water because of fear of contamination and would drink their tap water if they knew it was safe, regardless of the taste (73%, 66/90).Fluoride was detected in 53% (16/30) of tap-water samples and only in one bottled-water sample. However, only 27% (8/30) of tap-water samples had fluoride levels within the recommended range (0.7-1.2 mg/L) by the American Dental Association for optimally fluoridated water. From multiple logistic regression, children in a household were less likely to have cavities if their parents reported using fluoridated mouthwash (p<0.001) or visited the dentist yearly (p<0.001). None of the participants reported discussing the type of water they drank or fluoride supplementation with any healthcare providers. Results suggest that secondary contamination in the home is contributing to significantly higher levels of bacteria in vended water stored in reusable containers. In addition, fear of illness from contamination of tap water is an important contributing factor to increased use of bottled water. Interventions could be developed to educate families about how to keep their reusable water containers clean, reduce perceived risks associated with tap-water consumption, and emphasize the importance of fluoride supplementation if families continue drinking bottled water.

Background: 884 million people do not have access to clean water, which is a potential contributor to diarrhea (JMP, 2010). The purpose of this study was to examine the potential associations between the occurrence of diarrhea and the levels of turbidity, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli (E. coli), in 185 households in Bonao, Dominican Republic in 2005-2006. Methods: A biweekly water quality dataset and a weekly diarrhea occurrence dataset were merged using three different methods. T-tests and odds ratios were calculated for all three different datasets. Multivariate logistic regression was also conducted. Results: There were 430 cases of diarrhea out of 14,245 observations. In the age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression, turbidity (OR = 1.36; p-value = .012) and total coliforms (OR = .842; p-value = .006) were found to be significant for an association with the occurrence of diarrhea. E. coli was not found to be significant for an association. Conclusions: This study strengthens the evidence supporting a positive association between turbidity and the occurrence of diarrhea. This study also showed a negative association between total coliforms and diarrhea. Future studies are needed to clarify these associations.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Els canvis a l'estructura i composició de les poblacions de coliforms fecals i enterococs al llarg de diferents processos de depuració de les aigües residuals a cinc plantes depuradores d'aigües residuals van ser analitzats amb la finalitat de determinar possibles eliminacions selectives entre soques d'aquests grups de bacteris. En aquest sentit, es van analitzar també les sub-poblacions d'enterococs resistents als antibiòtics vancomicina i eritromicina (VRE y ERE respectivament) com a marcadors per a valorar la seva persistència en els diferents processos de depuració. La elecció d'aquestes sub-poblacions com a marcadors va ser degut al seu interès clínic. Es va analitzar l'impacte de les aigües tractades en una de les cinc depuradores en les poblacions de coliforms fecals i enterococs del riu receptor. També es van comparar l'estructura i la composició de les poblacions d'aquests indicadors bacterians entre les aigües residuals i els fangs d'una altra del les 5 depuradores estudiades. Finalment es va comparar la diversitat i l'estructura poblacional dels entrerococs (inclosos VRE i ERE) a les aigües residuals de depuradores, de diversos hospitals i de les aigües de recepció de les emissions de les aigües tractades, entre zones geogràfiques situades en diferents països (Espanya, Suècia i Regne Unit). La diversitat i la similitud poblacional de coliforms fecals i enterococs es van estudiar mitjançant fenotipat bioquímic d'un nombre significatiu de soques i el seu posterior anàlisi estadístic mitjançant estudis de correlació i agrupació. Totes les mostres van presentar alts índex de diversitat per a totes les poblacions bacterianes estudiades. L'estructura i la composició d'aquestes poblacions va resultar molt semblant independentment del seu origen, sistema de tractament o tipus de mostra, tal i com demostraren els elevats índex de similitud poblacional obtinguts al comparar les diferents mostres. Tant els enterococs resistents a la vancomicina com els resistents a l'eritromicina es van trobar també en tots els tipus de mostra, quan es compararen les mostres d'aigües analitzades entre els diferents països. No es va observar una eliminació selectiva de clons poblacionals a les aigües residuals en cap de les plantes de tractament estudiades. Les poblacions de VRE i ERE persisteixen després dels tractaments de depuració de les aigües, així com també en els dos tipus de fangs analitzats. Aquestes poblacions es van detectar tant abans com després de l'emissari de la depuradora en els punts de riu estudiats. La persistència d'aquestes poblacions s'hauria de considerar en els programes de regeneració d'aigües residuals i l'aplicació dels fangs. / The changes in structure and composition of the bacterial faecal coliforms and enterococcal populations from different treatment plants, and the elimination of vancomycin- and erythromycin-resistant enterococci (VRE and ERE, respectively) in these treatment plants was analyzed to determine any selective reduction. Moreover, a rural sewage treatment plant and the effect of its effluent on the enterococci and faecal coliforms populations in the receiving river waters were evaluated. In the same way, the composition and structure of these two bacterial indicators were compared between municipal sewage (raw and treated) and sludge (in two stadiums of sewage treatment process) in a biological sewage treatment plant. Finally, enterococcal populations, including VRE and ERE, from hospital sewage, urban sewage, and river water, were analyzed and compared between Spain, Sweden and U.K. The diversity and similarity of faecal coliforms and enterococci populations were evaluated by biochemical fingerprinting and clustering analysis. All samples showed high values for diversity indexes, and high populations similarity were found for faecal coliforms and enterococci populations, independently of the origin, treatment process, or the kind of sample. VRE and ERE were found in all kind of samples and in the case of Spain, in the same proportion respect total enterococci (10% for ERE and between 0,1 - 0,01% for VRE). The enterococcal populations showed also high similarity between samples analyzed in Spain, Sweden and U.K.There is no changes on the structure and composition of the studied bacterial populations in sewages, receiving waters and sludges. It was observed the persistence of VRE and ERE populations in any kind of analysed sample. This should be considered in water reuse programmes and in the disposal of sludges. / RESUMEN:Los cambios en la estructura y composición de las poblaciones de coliformes fecales y enterococos a lo largo de los distintos procesos de depuración de las aguas residuales en cinco plantas depuradoras de aguas residuales fueron analizados con el fin de determinar posibles eliminaciones selectivas entre las cepas de estos grupos de bacterias. En este sentido, se analizaron también las sub-poblaciones de enterococos resistentes a los antibióticos vancomicina y eritromicina (VRE y ERE respectivamente) como marcadores para valorar su persistencia en los diferentes procesos de depuración. La elección de estas dos sub-poblaciones como marcadores fue debido a su interés clínico. También se analizó el impacto de las aguas tratadas de una de las cinco depuradoras sobre las poblaciones de coliformes fecales y enterococos del río receptor. Así también se compararon la estructura y la composición de las poblaciones de estos indicadores bacterianos entre las aguas residuales y los fangos de otra de las 5 estaciones estudiadas. Finalmente se comparó la diversidad y la estructura poblacional de los enterococos (incluidos VRE y ERE) en las aguas residuales de depuradoras, de diversos hospitales y de las aguas de recepción de los vertidos de aguas residuales tratadas, entre tres zonas geográficas situadas en distintos países (España, Suecia y Reino Unido). La diversidad y la similitud poblacional de coliformes fecales y enterococos fueron evaluadas mediante un fenotipado bioquímico de un número significativo de cepas, y su posterior análisis estadístico mediante estudios de correlación y agrupación. Todas las muestras presentaron altos índices de diversidad para las poblaciones bacterianas estudiadas. estructura y la composición de dichas poblaciones resultó muy parecida independientemente de su origen, sistema de tratamiento o el tipo de muestra, tal y como lo demostraron los elevados índices de similitud poblacional obtenidos al comparar las distintas muestras. Tanto los enterococos resistentes a la vancomicina como los resistentes a la eritromicina se encontraron también en todos los tipos de muestra, siendo mayor la proporción de las poblaciones de ERE. También se detectaron índices de similitud poblacional elevados para las poblaciones de enterococos estudiados y la presencia de VRE y ERE en todos los tipos de muestra, cuando se compararon las muestras de aguas analizadas de los distintos países.No se observó una eliminación selectiva de clones poblacionales en las aguas residuales para ninguna de las plantas de tratamiento estudiadas. Las poblaciones de VRE y ERE persisten después de los tratamientos de depuración de aguas, así como también en los dos tipos de lodos analizados. Dichas poblaciones se detectaron tanto antes como después del vertido de las aguas depuradas en todos los puntos muestreados del río. La persistencia de estas poblaciones de enterococos resistentes a antibióticos debe considerarse en los programas de regeneración de aguas residuales y en el vertido o aplicación de lodos.

SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) é uma tecnologia simples para tratamento de água no pontode- uso, sendo uma alternativa importante para disponibilizar água em situações de emergência ou onde não há acesso à água potável. A ação concomitante entre a temperatura e a radiação ultra violeta do sol provoca a morte dos microorganismos presentes na água. Este estudo avaliou a eficiência de inativação de coliformes totais e Escherichia coli pela técnica SODIS para as águas de chuva (coletada em telhado), de poço freático e de manancial superficial (reservatório), sob as condições climáticas de verão de Porto Alegre, RS. Foram ainda, realizados ensaios para verificar se ocorreu o recrescimento dos microorganismos após 24 e 48 horas do término da exposição ao sol. Também foram determinadas as constantes de decaimento das bactérias utilizando a Lei de Chick para representar o declínio dos microorganismos. Os ensaios de SODIS foram realizados em batelada, utilizando garrafas PET transparentes de 1,5 L, expostas ao sol por um período de 6 h. O mesmo número de garrafas era mantido à sombra pelo mesmo período, como controle. As temperaturas do ar e da água e a radiação ultravioleta foram monitoradas ao longo dos ensaios. Os valores médios de remoção de concentrações de E. coli no SODIS nas amostras das águas analisadas variaram entre 98,8 a maior do que 99,99%; para coliformes totais as reduções médias nas amostras variaram entre 90,00 – 99,99%. Não houve recrescimento de microorganismos após 24 e 48 horas seguindo-se ao término da exposição solar. As constantes de decaimento para coliformes totais e E. coli foram, respectivamente, 0,2979 h-1 e 0,9397 h-1, confirmando as observações de que E. coli é mais sensível a desinfecção. Os coeficientes de determinação para a equação da Lei de Chick foram de 0,938 (E. coli) e 0,877 (coliformes totais). Os resultados da pesquisa indicam que as águas de chuva e de poço freático tratadas com SODIS atingiram os padrões microbiológicos recomendados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde, o que não ocorreu com as amostras de água do reservatório superficial estudado. / SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection) is a simple techhnology for point-of-use drinking water treatment, and can be used during emergencies or in sites without running water. The joint action of high temperature and ultraviolet radiation causes the die-off of microrganisms. This study evaluated the removal of total coliforms and Escherichia coli using SODIS to disinfect water from rain (collected in roofs), from well and from surface water (reservoir) under the climate conditions of Porto Alegre, RS. Essays were also conducted to see if bacteria regrowth occurred after 24 and 48 h after the end of the SODIS test. In addition, bacterial decay coefficients were calculated using the Chick´s Law as model. SODIS essays were performed in batch reactors using 1.5 L transparent PET bottles exposed to the sunlight for 6 h.The same number of bottles were kept in the shadow, as a control. Air and water temperatures and ultraviolet radiation were monitored hourly. E. coli mean removals in samples from the three sources of water varied between 98,8% to greater than 99,99%. The mean reductions for total coliforms varied between 90.0% to 99.99%. Microorganism regrowth was not observed after 24 and 48 h. Decay coefficients for coliforms and E. coli were, respectively, 0.2979 h-1 e 0.9397 h-1, confirming the observation that E. coli is more sensitive than total coliforms to SODIS. Coefficients of determination for Chick´s Law equation were 0.938 (E. coli) and 0.877 (total coliform). The results from this research indicate that water from rain and well , but not reservoir, achieved the World´s Health Organization drinking water guidelines for drinking water with low risk of disease acquisition.

Orientador: Luiz Augusto do Amaral / Banca: Naiá Carla Marchi de Rezende Lago / Banca: Oswaldo Durival Rossi Junior / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os riscos para a saúde pública apresentado por tilápias, produzidas em cativeiro, comercializadas em supermercados na região nordeste de São Paulo. Para tal, análises microbiológicas foram realizadas, em 40 amostras de tilápias in natura e em 50 filés de tilápias. No peixe in natura foi analisado a água de enxaguadura da pele e o trato gastrintestinal. Os números mais prováveis de coliformes totais e termotolerantes foram determinados assim como a contagem Staphylococcus coagulase positivo e a presença de Salmonella spp. de acordo com a American Public Health Association (APHA). Os resultados obtidos foram analisados utilizando valores logarítmicos e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, com nível de 5% de probabilidade. A pele foi o tecido com maior nível de contaminação em relação ao trato gastrintestinal e músculo de tilápia in natura. O número de amostras com presença de coliformes totais e termotolerantes na água de enxaguadura da pele foi, respectivamente, 72,5% e 60%, no trato gastrintestinal 25% e 12,5% e no músculo 17,5% e 5%. A carga bacteriana foi significativamente maior no filé em relação ao músculo. Em duas amostras de filé foram verificados Staphylococcus coagulase positivo, uma acima dos parâmetros microbiológicos estabelecidos pela Resolução RDC nº 12/2001 da ANVISA. Salmonella spp. não foi detectada em nenhuma amostra analisada. As amostras de peixes estavam em boas condições para consumo, com exceção de duas amostras de filé. Os filés apresentaram maior contaminação que o músculo da tilápia in natura. Indicadores de poluição fecal demonstraram que a pele foi o órgão com maior contaminação / Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the risks to public health of consumption of tilápia fish growed in captivity and commercialised in supermarkets in the Northwest region of São Paulo state. In order to accomplish with the objective the researcher undertook analysis in 40 samples of fresh tilápias and in 50 fillets of the fish. In the fresh fish it was also analysed the washing water of the skin and of the gastrointestinal tract. It were determined, in accordance to the American Public Health Association (APHA), the number of total and thermotolerant fecal coliforms as well as the number of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and presence of the bacteria Salmonella spp. The results were analyzed using logarithmic values and means compared by Tukey test with 5% of probability. The skin was the tissue with higher levels of contamination comparing with the gastrointestinal tract and muscle of the fresh tilapia. The percentage of samples with total and thermotolerant fecal coliforms in the skin washing water was 72.5% and 60% respectively; 25% and 12.5% in the gastrointestinal tract and 17.5% and 5% in the muscles. Bacterial presence was significantly higher in fillets comparing to muscles. Moreover, it was noticed presence of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus in two samples of fillet; one of them showed levels above of the microbiological parameters established by the RDC resolution no. 12/2001 ANVISA. Additionally, it was not identified presence of Salmonella spp in any of the samples analyzed. Generally, the studied samples were in good condition for human consumption, except for two samples of fillets. Fillets presented higher levels of contamination comparing with muscles of the fresh tilapia. Fecal pollution indicators have proved that the skin was the organ with higher levels of contamination / Mestre

Nos últimos anos tem-se observado uma mudança no perfil alimentar da população, o que, associado à oferta de pescado de qualidade no mercado interno, pode direcionar o consumo, para novas formas de apresentação deste alimento. Os pescados, além de serem consumidos cozidos, também podem ser ingeridos crus, em pratos como sushi e sashimi, o que pode trazer risco para o consumidor. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de sashimis a base de salmão, bem como as condições higiênicosanitária dos restaurantes especializados em culinária japonesa na cidade de Porto Alegre - RS. Em seis restaurantes foram colhidas dezoito amostras de sashimi e aplicado check-list adaptado da legislação sanitária. Foram pesquisados todos os microrganismos citados pela RDC 12/01 da ANVISA para pratos prontos para o consumo a base de pescados e similares crus (sashimi) - Coliformes Termotolerantes; Estafilococos coagulase positiva; Víbrio parahaemolyticus e Salmonella sp. Das 18 amostras analisadas por estabelecimento, 11,11%, 33,33%, 61,11% e 44,44% apresentaram Coliformes Termotolerantes acima do limite estabelecido pela legislação vigente, nos estabelecimentos B, C, D e F, respectivamente. Os restaurantes A e E apresentaram todas as amostras dentro dos limites estabelecidos. Nenhum restaurante apresentou amostras positivas acima do limite para Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, Víbrio parahaemolyticus e Salmonella sp. Nenhum dos restaurantes foi considerado inadequado sob a avaliação global dos itens do check-list. Três deles (A, D, E) foram considerados adequados e os outros três (B, C, F) foram aprovados com restrições. As principais inconformidades encontradas foram relacionadas com itens relativos à higiene, manipulação e controle de temperatura. Porém, correlação apenas regular tendendo a forte (rs=0,580; p=0,228) foi encontrada entre essas inconformidades e a presença de contagens de coliformes termotolerantes acima do previsto na legislação. Entretanto, houve associação positiva estatisticamente significativa entre a temperatura aferida no pescado e o percentual de contaminação por coliformes termotolerantes (rs=0,928; p=0,008). Os resultados indicam a necessidade da aplicação das Boas Práticas de Fabricação nesse tipo de restaurantes, principalmente nos itens relacionados à higiene de superfícies e temperatura de armazenamento, a fim de controlar os possíveis riscos potenciais à saúde do consumidor. / Over the past years there has been a change in the eating profile of the population that, associated with the offer of quality fish in the domestic market, can lead consumption to new forms of presentation of this food. Fishes, in addition to being eaten cooked, can also be ingested raw as sushi or sashimi, which may bring risks to the consumer. This study aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of salmon-based sashimi, as well as the hygienic and sanitary conditions of restaurants specialized in Japanese food in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. Eighteen sashimi samples were collected from six restaurants, and a checklist adapted from the Brazilian legislation was applied. All microorganisms mentioned by RDC 12/01 of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) for dishes ready for consumption based on fish and similar raw foods (sashimi) were investigated: thermotolerant coliforms; coagulase-positive Staphylococcus; Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella sp. Of the 18 samples analyzed from the restaurants, 11.11%, 33.33%, 61.11% and 44.44% had thermotolerant coliforms above the limit established by the current legislation in restaurants B, C, D and F, respectively. Restaurants A and E had all samples within limits. Any restaurant had positive samples above limit for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella sp. Any restaurant was considered inadequate regarding the overall evaluation of checklist items. Three (A, D, E) were considered adequate, and the remaining (B, C, F) were approved with restrictions. The main nonconformities found were in items relative to hygiene, manipulation, and temperature control. However, only a regular correlation tending to strong (rs=0.580; p=0.228) was found between such nonconformities and presence of thermotolerant coliforms above the value predicted in the legislation. Nonetheless, there was a statistically positive association between fish temperature and the percentage of contamination by thermotolerant coliforms (rs=0.928; p=0.008). Results point to the need of applying Good Manufacturing Practices in this type of restaurant, especially in items relative to surface hygiene and storage temperature in order to control the potential risks to consumers’ health.