Multi-site and nasal swabbing for carriage of Staphylococcus aureus: what does a single nose swab predict?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk for infections. Targeted decolonization reduces postoperative infections but depends on accurate screening.

Aim

To compare detection of S. aureus carriage in healthy individuals between anatomical sites and nurse- versus self-swabbing; also to determine whether a single nasal swab predicted carriage over four weeks.

Methods

Healthy individuals were recruited via general practices. After consent, nurses performed multi-site swabbing (nose, throat, and axilla). Participants performed nasal swabbing twice-weekly for four weeks. Swabs were returned by mail and cultured for S. aureus. All S. aureus isolates underwent spa typing. Persistent carriage in individuals returning more than three self-swabs was defined as cult

SUBMITTER: Young BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5490851 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature