Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from slaughtered poultry

The extent of contamination in slaughtered poultry by strains of Staphylococcus aureus was investigated, as well as the origin of strains and the way of their transfer during operation of the poultry slaughterhouse. 45 strains were isolated from 175 swab samples from the surface and the body cavity of poultry and 8 strains from 23 workers of the slaughterhouse. 22 strains of St. aureus from the poultry were classified as biotype A (of human origin), according to the biochemical identification scheme by Hájek and Marsálek (1971), and 20 strains as biotype B (of poultry origin). 3 strains were not typable. 7 strains from the workers handling the poultry were classified as biotype A and one strain was not typable. Enterotoxins were produced mostly by strains of biotype A (13), by one strain of biotype B, and by one strain which could not be typified. The transfer of staphylococci from workers into the poultry was verified.