Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection among drug users: identification of hidden networks.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We combined social-network analysis and molecular epidemiology to investigate Staphylococcus aureus among drug users.

Methods

From 2003 through 2005, we recruited adult drug users in Brooklyn, New York. Of 501 individuals recruited, 485 participated. Participants were screened for HIV infection and S. aureus carriage, and they answered a questionnaire assessing risk factors for S. aureus. Participants were asked to nominate up to 10 members of their social networks, and they were invited to recruit nominees to participate.

Results

We identified 89 sociocentric risk networks, 1 of which contained 327 (67%) members. One third of participants were either colonized (20%) or infected (19%) with S. aureus. Overall strain similarity was unusually high, suggesting

SUBMITTER: Gwizdala RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3110233 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature