- R Jacobs, N K Scheepers, C Joubert and L Korsten
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- 2006
Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic human pathogen capable of causing numerous human diseases. The majority of nosocomial infections as well as food poisoning incidences worldwide are due to S. aureus. In this study, 18 isolates obtained from a litchi export chain study was identified using biochemical as well as molecular methods. These isolates were selected based on their characteristic growth on Staphylococcus selective medium and was therefore presumed to be potential foodborne pathogens. Biochemical tests utilised included catalase, DNase,
mannitol, alkaline phosphatase and coagulase tests. Molecular identification methods used were PCR-RFLPs, with cleavage by HindiII. No isolates from the litchi export chain were identified as S. aureus pathogens.