Streptococcus suis IN A SWINE FARM WORKER: FIRST ISOLATION IN BRAZIL / Streptococcus suis in a swine farm worker: first isolation in Brazil

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus suis represents a potential zoonosis risk in personnel working in closecontact with swines. The purpose of this study was to evidence the humancarrier status of S. suis in farmworkers belonging to three different pig farms located in three differentcities of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Cotton swab samples were taken fromtonsils of 28 workers. The S. suis-like strains were identified bypolymerase chain reaction, confirmed by sequencing and serotyped bycoagglutination technique. For the first time in Brazil, one farm worker wasidentified as a human carrier of S. suis.

RESUMO

Streptococcus suis represents apotential zoonosis risk in personnel working in close contact with swines. Thepurpose of this study was to evidence the human carrier status of S. suis in farm workers belonging tothree different pig farms located in three different cities of the state of SãoPaulo, Brazil. Cotton swab samples were taken from tonsils of 28 workers. The S. suis-like strains were identified bypolymerase chain reaction, confirmed by sequencing and serotyped bycoagglutination technique. For the first time in Brazil, one farm worker was identified as a human carrier of S. suis.