A Survey of Local Cheese Contamination With Streptococci in Kabul City Markets

Abstract

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of potentially pathogenic streptococcal species in traditional cheese (semi-hard ripened cheese) sold in Kabul, a topic of significant relevance to veterinary science due to its implications for food safety, zoonotic transmission, and dairy hygiene management. To this end, cheese samples from nine regions of Kabul were analyzed for microbiological quality using Gram staining, catalase testing, hemolysis patterns, and disk sensitivity to optochin and bacitracin, supplemented by limited Analytical Profile Index (API) confirmation. Among 90 samples, 31 (34.4%) exhibited α-hemolysis with optochin sensitivity, suggesting Streptococcus pneumoniae , while 25 (27.8%) showed β-hemolysis with bacitracin sensitivity, consistent with Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Non-hemolytic isolates (37.8%) predominated overall; API identified Streptococcus infantarius in a subset. Results from the chi-square test of independence illustrated that regional differences were significant ( p < 0.001): Company and Pole Sorkh had the highest optochin sensitivity, Kote Sangai had the highest bacitracin sensitivity, and three regions showed no target organisms. Standard plate counts were low (10²–10³ colony forming units (CFU·g⁻¹)) and well below international satisfactory limits (≤ 10⁵ CFU·g⁻¹), indicating generally good microbial quality. Despite low total counts, the detection of presumptive S. pneumoniae and GAS in specific areas highlights localized hygiene gaps.