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Detection and clinical relevance of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage: an update

Paul O Verhoeven1, Julie Gagnaire, Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers

  • 1GIMAP EA 3064 (Groupe Immunité des Muqueuses et Agents Pathogènes), University of Lyon, 42023 Saint-Etienne, France.

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|December 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage increases infection risk. Identifying persistent carriers via nasal samples can guide decolonization, though further research is needed for high-risk groups.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage is a known risk factor for S. aureus infections.
  • Indistinguishable bacterial strains at colonization and infection sites support the link between carriage and disease.
  • Persistent nasal carriage is associated with a higher risk of infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage as a significant risk factor for infection.
  • To emphasize the potential for defining persistent nasal carriage in clinical settings using quantitative nasal samples.
  • To review evidence supporting S. aureus nasal carriage screening in specific patient groups for decolonization.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing evidence on Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and infection risk.
  • Discussion of quantitative nasal sampling for defining carriage status.
  • Examination of decolonization strategies in cardiac surgery and hemodialysis patients.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage is a well-defined risk factor for infection.
  • Quantitative nasal samples can define persistent carriage in routine clinical practice.
  • Screening and decolonization are supported in cardiac surgery and hemodialysis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is required to identify high-risk carriers.
  • Understanding why decolonization fails in certain patient groups is crucial.
  • Optimizing decolonization strategies based on carrier status is a key goal.

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