Abstract
Extranasal colonization is increasingly recognized as an important reservoir for Staphylococcus aureus among high-risk populations. We conducted a cross-sectional study of multiple body site colonization among 173 randomly selected STD clinic patients in Baltimore, Maryland. Staphylococcal carriage at extranasal sites, including the oropharynx, groin, rectum, and genitals, was common among study subjects. The USA300 clone was particularly associated with multiple sites of colonization compared with non-USA300 strains (p = 01). Given their high burden of multi-site colonization and confluence of established staphylococcal risk factors, STD clinic patients may represent a community-based reservoir for S. aureus and be well suited for innovative infection control initiatives.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1040-1043 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Microbes and Infection |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2012 |
Keywords
- Community-associated MRSA
- Molecular epidemiology
- S. aureus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases