Aspects of the microbe: host relationship in staphylococcal hematogenous osteomyelitis

Nasal carriage of staphylococci, and some in vitro tests of host antimicrobial defense were studied in a group of children who had recovered from staphylococcal hematogenous osteomyelitis at least one year previously. The same studies were carried out in a group of first degree relatives, and in age- and sex-matched controls. Nasal carriage was significantly more common (P = .039) in these children than in age- and sex-matched controls, and commoner (P = .19) in the first degree relatives than in controls. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were significantly lower in the children studied than in controls (P = .022), and in relatives than in controls (P = .032), but the levels remained within an accepted normal range. IgG levels were also significantly lower in carriers of Staphylococcus aureus than in non carriers (P = .033). Other immunoglobulin levels, complement levels, leukocyte phagocytic and killing power, leukocyte chemotaxis, and leukocyte migration inhibition, were indistinguishable between the children, their relatives, and controls. No statistically significant association between histocompatibility antigen profile and previous history of osteomyelitis, or nasal carriage of staphylococci, was found. More detailed studies are required to confirm and clarify the associations.