Rall, V. L. M. [UNESP]Sforcin, J. M. [UNESP]Augustini, V. C. M. [UNESP]Watanabe, M. T. [UNESP]Fernandes Jr., A. [UNESP]Rall, R.Silva, M. G. [UNESP]Araújo Jr., J. P. [UNESP]2014-05-202014-05-202010-03-01Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia, v. 41, n. 1, p. 59-65, 2010.1517-8382http://hdl.handle.net/11449/18127Food handlers, an important factor in food quality, may contain bacteria that are able to cause foodborne disease. The present study aimed to research coagulase-negative (CNS) and -positive staphylococci (CPS) in 82 food handlers, analyzing nasal and hand swabs, with identification of 62 CNS (75.6%) and 20 CPS strains (24.4%). Staphylococcal enterotoxins genes were investigated by PCR. In 20 CPS strains, 19 were positive for one or more genes. The percentage of CNS presenting genes for enterotoxins was high (46.8%). Despite of the staphylococcal species, the most common gene was sea (35.4%), followed by seh and sej (29.2%). The detection of new staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) genes showed a higher pathogenic potential in this genus. The presence of these gene points out the importance of CNS not only as contaminant bacteria but also as a pathogen.59-65engStaphylococcal enterotoxinscoagulase-negative staphylococciS. aureusfood handlerArtigo10.1590/S1517-83822010000100011S1517-83822010000100011WOS:000293874200011Acesso abertoS1517-83822010000100011.pdf1843683720990222