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Dynamics and determinants of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in infancy: the Generation R Study

Ankie Lebon1, Joost A M Labout, Henri A Verbrugh

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|August 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in infants significantly decreases in the first year of life. Persistent carriage of the same S. aureus strain was uncommon in early infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common bacterium colonizing the nose.
  • Understanding S. aureus nasal carriage dynamics in infants is crucial for public health.
  • Early life colonization can influence later health outcomes and infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and trends of S. aureus nasal carriage in infants.
  • To identify factors influencing S. aureus nasal colonization during the first year of life.
  • To assess the persistence of S. aureus strains in infant nasal passages.

Main Methods:

  • Serial nasal swabs collected from 443 infants at 1.5, 6, and 14 months of age.
  • Utilized data from the Generation R Study cohort.
  • Analyzed S. aureus prevalence and identified persistent carriage patterns.

Main Results:

  • S. aureus nasal carriage prevalence declined from 52.1% at 1.5 months to 12.9% at 14 months.
  • A significant decrease in carriage was observed throughout the first year of life.
  • Persistent carriage of the same S. aureus strain across all three time points was rare.

Conclusions:

  • Infant S. aureus nasal carriage decreases substantially with age.
  • The first year of life is characterized by dynamic changes in S. aureus colonization.
  • Persistent nasal carriage is uncommon in early infancy, suggesting transient colonization is more typical.

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