Efficacy of rifampicin in eradication of carrier state of Staphylococcus aureus in anterior nares with recurrent furunculosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the frequency of detection of Staphylococcus aureus carrier state in anterior nares of the patients suffering from recurrent furunculosis with the normal population and to determine the efficacy of rifampicin in eradication of the carrier state.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental study.


METHODS
Skin Department of Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar and Multan, from March 2004 to December 2005.


METHODS
The study consisted of 80 individuals. They were placed in two groups. Group I comprised of 40 patients suffering from recurrent furuncles and group II included 40 healthy adults, kept as controls. Nasal swab was taken from the individuals belonging to both the groups, when they first reported to skin OPD. The patients who were suffering from furuncles were treated with co-amoxiclav 375 or 625 mg three times a day. The patients in whom S. aureus carrier state was detected were again divided into two groups. Group 1 was prescribed rifampicin 450-600 mg daily (depending on the body weight) for 10 days, while the group 2 was not offered any treatment. After this course, a second nasal swab was taken and submitted for cultures.


RESULTS
Among the 40 patients belonging to group I, S. aureus carrier state was detected in 23 (57.5%), while in group II the carrier state was found in 8 (20%) individuals (p<0.001). Among the 13 patients who received rifampicin, 10 got cured of carrier state, while in 3 patients nasal swab was still positive after a course of rifampicin. In 10 patients, who were not offered any treatment, the nasal swabs remained positive (p<0.001). These patients were followed-up in skin OPD for another 3 months, and did not develop any recurrence of the infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal swab for detection of S. aureus carrier state should be done in all patients of recurrent furunculosis. If the nasal swab culture is positive, then as the infection gets cured, the patients should receive a course of rifampicin for 10 days. This may eradicate the carrier state in majority of cases and prevent the recurrence of the infection.
Mashhood
Asher Ahmed
AA
Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Multan. asherahmed67@yahoo.com
Shaikh
Zafar Iqbal
ZI
Qureshi
Shaukat Mehmood
SM
Malik
Sher Muhammad
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005667:Furunculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
D012293:Rifampin