Occupational exposure toStreptococcus suistype 2

Abstract

SUMMARYAntibody titres toStreptococcus suistype 2 were measured with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in four occupational groups in New Zealand. No veterinary students, 9% of dairy farmers. 10% of meat inspectors and 21% of pig farmers were seropositive toS. suistype 2. The development of antibody toS. suistype 2 was associated with occupational contact with pigs or their meat products. Subclinical infection withS. suistype 2 appears to occur in humans and the antibody produced is of only short duration. The annual incidence of subclinical infection and seroconversion in pig farmers may approach 28%. ThusS. suistype 2 may be one of the most infectious potentially zoonotic agents present in New Zealand, although very rarely resulting in clinical disease.