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Staphylococcus aureus in the throat: A saprophyte or a pathogen?
Abstract:
144 industrial workers were investigated for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the upper respiratory tract because 53 of them had complained of chronic throat discomfort. Significantly more patients with subjective throat complaints harboured Staph. aureus in the nose (49.1%) and throat (32.1%) than patients without such symptoms (27.4% and 9.9%, respectively). No Staph. aureus were found in throat swab cultures from 21 randomly selected individuals working in a similar factory where no chronic throat discomfort was reported and only 2 throat carriers of Staph. aureus were found among 66 medical undergraduates investigated. The staphylocci belonged to several different phage type patterns and could not be recovered on sedimentation plates or from machines or products. In the light of these and other findings it was suggested that the staphylocci accentuated an already existing damage of the mucous membrane of the throat, but seemed not to be the primary cause of the discomfort.
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus was more prevalent in the upper respiratory tracts of industrial workers with chronic throat discomfort. However, this bacteria likely exacerbated existing throat conditions rather than causing them.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Microbiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Chronic throat discomfort is a common complaint in industrial settings.
- The role of Staphylococcus aureus in upper respiratory tract infections requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in industrial workers with chronic throat discomfort.
- To determine if Staphylococcus aureus is the primary cause of throat discomfort in this population.
Main Methods:
- Swab cultures were taken from the noses and throats of 144 industrial workers.
- Prevalence data was compared between workers with and without throat complaints.
- Control groups included individuals from a factory without reported discomfort and medical students.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus was significantly more prevalent in the noses (49.1%) and throats (32.1%) of symptomatic workers compared to asymptomatic ones (27.4% and 9.9%).
- No Staphylococcus aureus was detected in throat cultures from a control factory, and carriage rates were low in medical students.
- The bacteria belonged to various phage types and were not found on surfaces or products.
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization is more common in industrial workers experiencing chronic throat discomfort.
- The findings suggest Staphylococcus aureus may aggravate pre-existing throat mucosal damage rather than being the primary etiological agent.