The Impact of Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills on Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage State

Abstract

Background: Up to 20% of human population is asymptomatic carriers for Staphylococcus aureus .Human nares colonized with Staphylococcus aureus are the most important reservoir of this pathogen and the carrier state affected by different variables. Aim: To investigate the influence of using oral hormonal contraceptive pills on Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage state. Method: A cross sectional studies involved 125 Healthy woman who divided into two groups as users of hormonal contraceptives (60 women) and none or ever users (65 women). Cotton swab obtain from anterior nares of each woman and subjected to culture to identify the Staphylococcus aureus. The results were compared between the two groups. Pregnant woman and those who are immune-compromised, having chronic diseases and currently on antibiotic therapy were excluded from this study. Results: Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage state was doubled in woman using oral hormonal contraceptives. This was correlated with the duration of use of this contraceptives, the longer the duration the more the carriers. Conclusion: Hormonal contraceptive pill may boost the risk of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in healthy women