Social network analysis of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in a general youth population

Staphylococcus aureus carriage increases the risk of infection. We used social network analysis to evaluate whether contacts have the same S. aureus genotype indicating direct transmission or whether contagiousness is an indirect effect of contacts sharing the same lifestyle or characteristics.

The Fit Futures 1 study collected data on social contact among 1038 high school students. S. aureus carriage was determined from two nasal swab cultures and the genotype was determined by spa-typing of positive throat swabs.

S. aureus carriage and spa-type were transmitted in the social network (P < 0.001). The probability of carriage increased by 5% for each S. aureus positive contact. Male sex was associated with a 15% lower risk of transmission compared to the female sex, although the carriage prevalence was higher for men (36% vs 24%). Students with medium physical activity levels, medium/high alcohol use, or normal weight had a higher number of contacts and an increased risk of transmission (P < 0.002).

We demonstrated the direct social transmission of S. aureus. Lifestyle factors are associated with the risk of transmission, suggesting the effects of indirect social groups on S. aureus carriage, such as friends having more similar environmental exposures. The male predominance in the carriage is determined by sex-specific predisposing host characteristics as the social transmission is less frequent in males than females. Information on social networks may add to a better understanding of S. aureus epidemiology.