Lipolytic activity of Staphylococcus aureus from human wounds, animals, foods, and food-contact surfaces in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION S. aureus is of great importance to public health due to its pathogenicity. This study aimed to evaluate lipase production by S. aureus isolates from different sources. METHODOLOGY Lipolytic activity was determined using Tween-Calcium agar (48 hours; 35°C). RESULTS Eighty-six percent of the isolates from human wounds were positive for lipase production. The frequencies of isolates positive for lipase production were 33.3% from cow udders, 15.4% from the nasal cavities of cattle, 82.9% from ricotta cheeses, and 100% and 91.7% from meat- and vegetable-contact surfaces, respectively. CONCLUSION The production of lipase varied among the isolates according to their source.