Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization in Spanish Children. The COSACO Nationwide Surveillance Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is a significant public health concern.
• Understanding colonization prevalence and risk factors in pediatric populations is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA nasal colonization in children under 14 years old in Spain.
• To identify demographic, clinical, and environmental risk factors associated with S. aureus and MRSA nasal colonization in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1876 children (<14 years) recruited from primary care centers across Spain.
• Data collection included clinical information and nasal aspirate samples, gathered between March and July 2018.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of S. aureus colonization was 33%, and MRSA colonization was 1.44%.
• Factors associated with S. aureus colonization included age ≥5 years, male sex, urban residence, and chronic conditions like asthma, atopic dermatitis, or allergies.
• Rural residence was the sole factor linked to MRSA colonization. MRSA strains showed higher resistance to certain antibiotics compared to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, though resistance to tetracycline, fosfomycin, vancomycin, and daptomycin was absent.

Conclusions:

• Key risk factors for S. aureus colonization in Spanish children are age over five, male gender, specific allergic conditions, and urban living.
• While MRSA colonization rates are low, they are higher than in other European countries and are associated with rural environments.