Asymptomatic carriage of bacteria in food workers in Nilüfer district, Bursa, Turkey

Aim: This study was carried out in order to determine the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and the faecal carriage of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food industry workers. Materials and methods: During the study, face to face interviews were conducted with the workers and 9-item questionnaires regarding demographic information, working time, and periodical medical examinations were administered. In the study nasal swab specimens of 1115 individuals and faecal specimens of 1061 individuals were bacteriologically investigated. Results: The nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found to be significantly more common in the workers who have no health insurance and who never had a medical and bacteriological examination for carrier screening (P 0.05). Conclusion: This result supports that periodical health examination is a necessity for food industry workers.