Frequency of Staphylococcus intermedius as human nasopharyngeal flora

Abstract

Staphylococcus intermedius, a veterinary flora and pathogen, has recently been isolated from humans with infected dog bite wounds. The frequency of S. intermedius as a human nasopharyngeal flora was determined by culturing samples from 144 veterinary college staff members. This bacterium was isolated from only one individual (0.7%). It appears that S. intermedius is a true zoonotic opportunistic pathogen.