Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus clones and detection of Brazilian epidemic MRSA clone (III::B:A) among isolates from food handlers

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen involved in a wide range of diseases varying from infections to toxaemia. Staphylococcal food-poisoning syndrome is caused by ingestion of bacterial enterotoxins. These toxins are microbial superantigens and may also be virulence factors involved in staphylococcal infection. This study determined the enterotoxin types and pulsed-field gel patterns found among S. aureus isolates obtained from food handlers in community or hospital-located kitchens. Staphylococcal enterotoxin C was the most frequent enterotoxin produced. The data also suggested horizontal spread of ent genes among isolates belonging to the Brazilian epidemic MRSA clone III::B:A. A subclone of MRSA clone III::B:A was isolated from two hospital kitchen workers. This was the first report of this clone from a hospital in Teresina, Piaui State, although the presence of this MRSA clone has already been reported in six other Brazilian cities.