Prevalence of enterotoxigenic staphylococci in nose, throat and skin lesions in meat-workers

The frequency of enterotoxigenic coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative staphylococci in nose and throat and in hand lesions was investigated in 86 meat cutters and dressers. Enterotoxin-producing staphylococci were demonstrated in nasal swabs from 22% of clinically well workers and from 42% of a group with mild coryza. The corresponding rates in throat swabs were 6 and 12%. Four of 16 superficial lesions of the hand harbored enterotoxigenic staphylococci. The implications for contamination of food and outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning are discussed.