Nasal carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus among food handlers(vendor) in University of Maiduguri

Abstract

Background: Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized an important pathogen in human diseases. It remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in tropical countries, the ecological niches of the organism are the anterior nares of humans. this study therefore, assesses the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among food
handlers and restaurants workers in university of Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria.
AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the carriage rate and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus among food handlers (vendors) within University of Maiduguri, Borno state.
Methodology: Nasal swabs specimen were collected, the swab sticks were immediately and carefully returned to their sterile containers and sealed with an adhesive tape. The
collected specimens were then taken to the diagnostic laboratory for bacteriological analysis and examined using standard medical microbiology methods. Wet preparations
were examined microscopically immediately after inoculation on mannitol salt agar and incubated at 370C for 24 hours.
Results: Out of 140 nasal swabs samples collected from the food handlers,12(16.8%) had Staphylococcus aureus.Males had the highest rate of 8(11.2%) against the females,
4(5.6%). Similarly, results also indicated that those within the age range of 21-30 had the highest rate, 6(8.4%)
Conclusion: A relatively lownasal carriageof Staphylococcus aureus was recorded, these findings however, should not discourage food handlers from using the protective measures like face shield or nose mask and increase personal hygiene to prevent further spread of the bacterium.