[Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus among food handlers from a metropolitan university in Chile].
BACKGROUND
An important agent of food intoxication is Staphylococcus aureus, that is able to produce enterotoxins.


OBJECTIVE
To detect Staphylococcus aureus contamination in cafeteria food handlers of a Chilean University.


METHODS
Nose, throat, hands and nail samples from 87 food handlers were obtained for microbiological examination.


RESULTS
Fifty seven subjects (65.5%) were carriers of Staphylococcus aureus. Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus was found in 36 subjects (41%). The most frequently found enterotoxin was type B (18 samples) followed by type D (12 samples). Men bad a higher frequency of contamination than women (83 and 57% of positive samples respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of Staphylococcus aureus contamination among food handlers is high and should prompt personal and environmental hygienic measures.
Soto
A
A
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Saldías
M E
ME
Oviedo
P
P
Fernández
M
M
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002677:Chile; D004768:Enterotoxins; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014495:Universities; D014505:Urban Population
D004768:Enterotoxins