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Vaginal Tampon Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in Healthy Women
Myriam Chiaruzzi1, Alexia Barbry1,2, Anaëlle Muggeo2
1CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm U1111, Université Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5308, Lyon, France.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|July 19, 2020
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus colonization is common in tampons used by healthy women, with applicator-free tampons showing higher contamination rates. The study identified the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) producing S. aureus clone in tampons, highlighting hygiene importance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (MTSS) is a severe illness linked to TSST-1 producing Staphylococcus aureus.
- Previous research focused on vaginal swabbing, not tampon colonization, for S. aureus prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of S. aureus colonization in tampons from healthy women.
- To identify S. aureus strains, including TSST-1 producers, and associated risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tampons from 737 healthy women for S. aureus presence and toxin production.
- Genotyping of S. aureus strains to determine clonal complexes (CCs).
Main Results:
- 27% of tampons were colonized by S. aureus; 4% by TSST-1 producing strains.
- Higher S. aureus prevalence in applicator-free tampons (32%) and with intrauterine device use (34%).
- CC30 agr3, a TSST-1 producing clone responsible for MTSS, was identified in tampons.
Conclusions:
- Tampons show a high prevalence of S. aureus, including the MTSS-associated clone.
- Applicator-free tampons and IUD use are associated with increased S. aureus colonization.
- Hand hygiene during tampon use is crucial to reduce contamination risk.
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