Detection of entero toxigenicity of staphylococcus aureus isolated from community and hospital food handlers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Author(s): Omar B. Ahmed, Anas S. Dablool

Abstract

Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus has been recognized as a major health problem. Staphylococcus enterotoxins have been isolated in the community and hospitals environments. The present study detected the prevalence of S. aureus and SEs in food handlers of community- and hospital-located kitchens. About 400 adult food handlers, who working in community and hospitals kitchens were selected in the study. S. aureus was detected in 88 and 61 of food handlers in community and hospital-located kitchens respectively. Staphylococcus enterotoxins were shown in 47.7% in food handlers of community-located kitchens and in 55.8% in those of hospital-located kitchens. Staphylococcus enterotoxin type A was the most predominant. It was concluded that the incidence of Staphylococcus aureus was higher in food handlers from community located-kitchens and there was no significant difference in the staphylococcal enterotoxigenicity between community- and hospital-located kitchens.

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