Comprehensive modeling reveals proximity, seasonality, and hygiene practices as key determinants of MRSA colonization in exposed households.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). To develop interventions to prevent recurrent infections, household attributes and individual practices influencing S. aureus colonization must be discerned. METHODS:Households of healthy children with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) SSTI (n = 150; 671 participants) were interviewed regarding health history, activities, and hygiene practices. S. aureus colonization was assessed in household members, and recovered isolates were typed by repetitive sequence-based PCR. RESULTS:The number of unique strain types in a household (median 1, range 0-7) correlated with the number of colonized individuals (p < 0.001). The MRSA infecting strain type colonized a household member in 57% of 91 househo

SUBMITTER: Mork RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6294678 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature