BIOTYPING OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS STRAINS ISOLATED FROM FOOD OF ANIMAL ORIGIN

One hundred and sixteen strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from milk. milk Products. meat, meat products and swabs from butcher' s hand and equipment. For epidemiological studies, on phage typing, on ly 74 (63.79%) strains could be typed using both human and bovine phag e sets. On biotyping 101 (87,07%) strains were typable. Among these 38 (32.75%) strains were classified as belonging to biotype A indicating their possible human origin, 21 (18. 10%) strains were classified to biotype B indicating their possible poultry and swine origin and 42 (3 6.20%) strains were classified to biotype C indicating their possible origin from cattle and sheep. Fifteen (12.92%) strains showed mixed ch aracters and were termed as unclassified.