Human health risk by certain bacterial pathogens carrying zoonose

International studies show that occupational groups of meat industry, farme rs and veterinarians have a particularly high risk of zoonotic diseases. Ba sed on two recent case reports the present research project deals with pote ntially pathogenic, but not reportable zoonotic bacteria from pigs. In a ca se control study, 132 workers in the pork slaughtering, dissectioning and p rocessing industries were examined for the occurrence of opportunistic path ogenic bacteria in the pharynx, and compared with a control group. The phar yngeal swabs showed various false colonizations of the persons who were so far healthy, but potentially at risk. The investigation contributes to the assessment of the risk resulting from bacterial infestation of the occupati onal groups concerned. There is a need of discussion also in view of the sp read of potential zoonotic pathogens.