Investigation of nasal Staphylococcus aureus carriage in food staff working in food companies in and around Izmir province

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important cause of community and hospital-acquired infections. Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly reported all over the world. It is obvious that there is a clear correlation between nasal staphylococcal carriage and staphylococcal food poisoning in people working in food related jobs. For this reason, determining the carriage of food workers is effective in reducing outbreaks by preventing the spread of strains. The purpose of this study is; to determine the prevalence and phenotypically identify the nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus of food staff working in food companies in and around İzmir province. Staphylococcus aureus carriage was determined by taking swab samples from nasal mucosa during periodical health examinations of food staff working in different food companies in İzmir province and its vicinity. From conventional (phenotypic) detection techniques catalase test, coagulase test, latex agglutination test and mannitol fermentation test were applied on the suspected colonies. Within the scope of this study; nasal culture samples were collected from 391 individuals and S.aureus was isolated in 54 people (%13,8). Among the strains identified as S.aureus, the highest resistance was detected in ampicillin, penicillin and oxacillin, respectively. Ciprofloxacin has been identified as the most susceptible antibiotic. Decreasing the risk of contamination in the food production-consumption chain and determining the carriage by passing the periodical health examinations of food workers is one of the most effective ways to prevent foodborne diseases.