STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN MASCARA SAMPLES: IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF HEMOLYTIC PATTERN

INTRODUCTION: Over time, makeup products have become essential in any woman's routine, the face, being considered a business card, receives greater attention, being commonly used lipsticks, mascaras, facial foundations, among others. However, it should be noted that sharing these products can trigger skin infections, commonly associated with the Staphylococcus genus. Although they are part of the human microbiota, in some situations such as immunosuppression These strains can express pathogenicity mechanisms, from cell invasion to release of exoenzymes such as hemolysins and toxins. Therefore, the present study aimed to perform a microbiological analysis on mascara samples in order to identify Staphylococcus aureus and verify the hemolytic pattern. METHODS: This is an experimental, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. A total of 20 samples of mascaras used by students from different courses at a higher education institution in São Luís-MA were collected. The collection was carried out using sterile swabs and BHI Broth (Brain Heart Infusion) and were then placed in an incubator at 37°C/24 hours. For identification, inoculation was performed in the culture media Blood Agar and Mannitol Agar, Gram stain, catalase and free coagulase tests. Subsequently, central prick seeding was performed on 5% blood agar plates, using human blood of different types (A, B, AB and O) to evaluate the hemolytic pattern of each identified bacterium. RESULTS: Of the 20 samples evaluated, it was found that Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 40.9% of the products. In the analysis of the hemolytic pattern, there was a variation in the positivity of this virulence potential in relation to the different blood types: blood type A 59.09%, blood type B 50%, blood type AB 36.37%, and blood type O 31.82%. CONCLUSION: The presence of S. aureus in mascara samples, as well as the verification of the hemolytic potential among the strains evaluated here, demonstrates the need for educational actions in the Dissemination of the non-sharing of make-up to avoid health problems that can be caused by the aforementioned bacterial species.