EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN STOCKS OF SPF-ANIMALS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 240  (4) , 447-465
Abstract
The occurrence and spread of staphylococcal infections in stocks of SPF[specific pathogen-free]-animals were studied over a period of more than 3 yr. Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from sick and healthy animals (mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs) and from verterinary staff were lysotyped with the international phase set for epidemiological investigations. The majority of the lysotypes demonstrated in sick mice and rats belonged to lysogroup III (77 and 96%, respectively). S. aureus strains with the phage patterns III 6/42E/47/53/54/75/83A/+, III 54/83A and III 5483A/85 were most common among these animals. The lysotype 80/3C/47/53/54/75/84/85/+ occurred in rabbits and guinea pigs only. S. aureus strains of lysogroup I and II, which are frequently involved in skin infections of man, were found only very scarcely or not at all discovered in the animals tested. Among the veterinary personnel staphylococcal strains of the lysogroups I and III and non-classificable strains occurred at a similar rate of approximately 25% each. Several lysotypes (I 29, III 42E/47/53/54/75/77/84/+, M 187) persisted in members of the staff over a stretch of 2-3 yr without causing infection to the animals under their charge. Lysotypes isolated from infection sites (abscesses) in the animals were mostly found in swabs from the nasopharynx of healthy animals and the personnel. The implications of the importation and the spreading of staphylococci in animal stocks by veterinary staff are pointed out. Factors promoting staphylococcal diseases in animals and measures to prevent S. aureus infection from SPF-animal stocks are discussed.