Phenotypic Detection ofStaphylococcus aureusHand Carriage among Food-handlersin Khartoum Locality

Abstract

Staphylococcal foodpoisoning, occurmainly as a result of bad hygienic

conditions. The objective of this study was to detect Staphylococcus aureushand

carriageamong food handlers working in cafeterias in Khartoum Province. The

study was conducted during the period from June to September 2013.

Food handlers working in Sudan University of Science and Technology cafeterias were included in this study. A pretested structuredquestionnairewas used for collectingsociodemographic data.Hand swabs were collected from each participant (right and left hands), from both sexes (males and females). Each swab immediately cultured on suitable culture media (blood agar, MacConkey agar and Mannitol salt agar).Gram stainingand biochemical tests used to identify theStaphylococcus aureus. A total of 110 swabs were collected from 55 food handlers. The data inthis study confined clearly the existence ofStaphylococcus aureusonright hands 17/55(30.9%) and in lefthands10/55(18.1%). The prevalence rate of hand carriage was 27(55) 49%. From the above findings, the study concluded that hand carriers of Staphylococcus aureusmay be sourceof food poisoning outbreak.Further study with large number of hand swabs is required to validate the results of the present study.