CARRIERS OF STAPHYLOCOCCI CAUSING NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS

Certain parts of the skin and mucuous membranes of humans and animals are carrying Staphylococcus aureus. These staphylococci are belonging to their physiological microflora. The data discussed in this paper de monstrate clearly that the carrier frequency of Staphylococcus aureus is locally different depending on epidemiological facts. Carriers of s taphylococci may become the source of nosocomial infections. Spreading ability, virulence and epidemic tendency of Staphylococcus aureus are strain-specific features. Only little is known about the underlying m echanisms.