FREQUENCY OF TOXIC SHOCK SYNDROME TOXIN-PRODUCING AND ENTEROTOXIN-PRODUCING CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

In 183 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, toxic shock syndrom e toxin was detected in 13.7 %, enterotoxin A in 20.2 %, enterotoxin B in 7.7 %, enterotoxin C in 5.5 % and enterotoxin D in 3.3 %. Seventy- three (39.9 %) of the strains were found to produce one or more toxins . Multiple secretion of toxins was rare (< 1% of all strains) except f or the combinations enterotoxin A with toxic shock syndrome toxin and enterotoxin A with enterotoxin D. These combinations were observed at Significantly higher frequencies (4.9 % and 2.2 %, respectively) than would have been expected from values calculated from respective indivi dual frequencies (0.88% and 0.06%) (p < 0.0001). In comparison with St aphylococcus aureus strains isolated from miscellaneous material. Stap hylococcus aureus blood culture isolates produced enterotoxin D in sig nificantly larger amounts and at higher frequencies (p = 0.01 in both cases). These toxins might play an important pathogenic role in Staphy lococcus aureus infections.