NASAL CARRIAGE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FOOD HANDLERS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

📄 Project Abstract

Staphylococcus is a Gram-positive coccoid bacterium that is microscopically observed as individual organism in irregular grape-like clusters (Rayan et al., 2004). The term Staphylococcus is derived from the Greek term staphyle, meaning a bunch of grapes. This appearance is due to their cell division in multiple planes. The genus is made up of at least 40 species. Most are non pathogenic residing as normal flora on the skin and mucous membranes of humans and other organisms while some species are pathogenic (Tolan, et al; 2008 and Willey et al. 2008). According to Willey et al. (2008), carrier status is a state where an infected person is a potential source of an infection for others, otherwise known as a an asymptomatic carrier. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) has become one of the major public health problems because of its ubiquitous nature, pathogenicity and drug resistivity (Skwan-nska, et al., 2009). Staphylococcus aureus can be toxigenic and invasive, Vasconceles, et al., (2010...