Prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus nasopharyngeal colonization in healthy children in the United States

Abstract

This study documents the colonization of Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) and specific resistant forms of these organisms among healthy children and identifies risk factors associated with these pathogens. Prospective point prevalence survey of nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained from 291 healthy children seeking routine well-child care at a university-based ambulatory paediatric clinic in a large urban city in the United States. A total of 291 children less than 5 years were enrolled during a 1-year period. Fifty-four (18.6%) were colonized with SA and 47 (16.2%) were colonized with SP. Among the 54 SA isolates, five (9.2%) were methicillin resistant (MRSA) and among the SP isolates, three (6.4%) were intermediate to penicillin (DRSP). Eighty per cent of all children enrolled reported no underlying medical condition. Care outside their home was more common among colonized (40.8%, 40/98) than non-colonized children (25.4%, 49/193), P=0.007. Healthy children from households of four or more people were also more likely to be colonized. The colonization rate of SA and SP among healthy children is consistent with what has been reported in the literature. The prevalence of MRSA and DRSP among healthy children colonized with SA or SP is low in this population of children attending a university-based ambulatory care centre in the United States.

A Multicenter, Cross‐Sectional Study on the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Nasal Colonization withStaphylococcus aureusin Patients Admitted to Children’s Hospitals in Switzerland

“…The finding of a prevalence of 41.2% for nasal carriage of S. aureus is higher than those previously reported for children (18.6%-39.2%) [4,10,11]. This might be explained by our highly sensitive culture method, which used a selective enrichment broth.…”

“…Several studies have aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for nasal S. aureus colonization in children and have had variable results [3][4][5][6][7][8]. We aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for nasal S. aureus colonization in children requiring hospitalization.…”

“…Only a few systematic studies have addressed risk factors for MRSA and MSSA colonization among children and have had variable results [3][4][5]11]. Breast-feeding, hospitalization, chronic skin conditions, and a history of indwelling catheter or other medical devices were found to be associated with S. aureus carriage in infants in 1 study [5].…”

ApuA, a multifunctional α-glucan-degrading enzyme of Streptococcus suis, mediates adhesion to porcine epithelium and mucus

“…Recent evidence suggests that the nasopharynx and palatine tonsils may be the routes of entry in invasive disease (Madsen et al, 2002). Adhesion of S. suis to mucus in the oral cavity is likely to be important for colonization, as demonstrated for other opportunistic pathogens that colonize the nasopharyngeal cavity (Cheng Immergluck et al, 2004;Faden, 1998;Melles et al, 2007). The demonstration that the apuA : : spc mutant binds less well to porcine gastric mucus is an indication that this surface enzyme may also promote adhesion to mucus in vivo.…”

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal isolates from Turkey

“…Staphylococcus aureus carriage rates have been reported in various pediatrics populations in the world ranging from 18.6 to 37.2% (Cheng Immergluck et al 2004;Hussain et al 2001;Kluytmans et al 1997;Wertheim et al 2004). In Turkey, several nasal S. aureus carriage studies have been reported.…”