Abstract

FOSCH, Sonia et al. Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in community individuals: epidemiological factors. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.1, pp.59-68. ISSN 0325-2957.

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (SAU) in healthy individuals confirms its spreading, constitutes a potential infection source and is related to atopic pathologies. The objetive was to determine the prevalence of SAU nasal carriage in community individuals, its antimicrobial resistance patterns (ARP) and its association with epidemiological factors. A total of 150 nasal swabs were studied, where SAU isolates were identified by conventional methods and their antimicrobial sensitivity was evaluated by disk diffusion Kirby Bauer test. In addition, the presence of mec A gene was confirmed and the lpv gene coding for Panton-Valentine toxin (PVL) was investigated by PCR in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Its association with epidemiological factors (injuries, rhinitis, etc) was analyzed with SPSS program. One hundred and nineteen (79%) SAU isolates with 12 ARP were obtained. PCR assays of MRSA strains were positive for the mec A gene and negative for the lpv gene. Association between nasal colonization and both male sex and rhinitis was detected statistically. It can be concluded that high prevalence of SAU nasal carriage was found in the community, mainly in males. Multiresistant isolates and lpv (-) MRSA suggest a hospital-acquired infection with subsequent dissemination to the community. The epidemiological association with rhinitis, which confirms the link with atopic pathologies, deserves to be highlighted.

Keywords : Staphylococcus aureus; Nasal carriage; Community; Antimicrobial resistance; Atopic pathologies.

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