Occupational exposure to Streptococcus suis type 2.
Antibody titres to Streptococcus suis type 2 were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in four occupational groups in New Zealand. No veterinary students, 9% of dairy farmers, 10% of meat inspectors and 21% of pig farmers were seropositive to S. suis type 2. The development of antibody to S. suis type 2 was associated with occupational contact with pigs or their meat products. Subclinical infection with S. suis type 2 appears to occur in humans and the antibody produced is of only short duration. The annual incidence of subclinical infection and seroconversion in pig farmers may approach 28%. Thus S. suis type 2 may be one of the most infectious potentially zoonotic agents present in New Zealand, although very rarely resulting in clinical disease.
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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Robertson
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Blackmore
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003612:Dairying; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005513:Food Inspection; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008460:Meat; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins