Growth and enterotoxin production of Staphylococcus aureus in shrimp.
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from shrimp were examined for phage pattern and enterotoxin production; 63% of the strains isolated from North Sea shrimp were typable with the International and additional set of phages, as were 38% of the strains isolated from South-East Asian shrimp. Staphylococcal enterotoxin(s) (SE) were produced by 48% and 35% of strains isolated from North Sea and South-East Asian shrimp respectively. Growth and enterotoxin production by S. aureus in shrimp was examined in storage experiments at 22 degrees C. S. aureus increased by 1-2 log units in 24 h when the organism was only a minor part of the total microflora of shrimp. When S. aureus was an equivalent part of the total flora its numbers increased by 3-4 log units in 24 h. Enterotoxins A and B became detectable when the number of S. aureus exceeded 10(7) per g in aseptically peeled shrimp. Results indicate that S. aureus is able to produce enterotoxin in shrimp, but its production depends upon a number of factors, including the relationship between S. aureus and competitive micro-organisms. It is concluded that the presence of S. aureus on commercially produced shrimp represents a potential hazard to health.
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001434:Bacteriophage Typing; D033364:Decapoda / Q000382:microbiology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005511:Food Handling; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D013202:Staphylococcal Food Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018089:Superantigens
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal; C019368:enterotoxin D, Staphylococcal; C026066:enterotoxin A, Staphylococcal; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal; C034959:enterotoxin C, staphylococcal