Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage is associated with glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms.
The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, influencing glucocorticoid sensitivity, are associated with persistent nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. Two nasal swab cultures were obtained from each of 2,929 participants. Subjects were classified as persistent carriers (n=563) if both cultures were positive. GG homozygotes of the exon 9beta polymorphism were associated with a 68% reduced risk of persistent S. aureus nasal carriage, whereas carriers of the codon 23 lysine allele displayed an 80% increased risk. Thus, genotype-dependent variation in the sensitivity to glucocorticoids is associated with tolerance toward staphylococcal nasal colonization.
van den Akker
Erica L T
EL
Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. e.l.t.vandenakker@erasmusmc.nl
Nouwen
Jan L
JL
Melles
Damian C
DC
van Rossum
Elisabeth F C
EF
Koper
Jan W
JW
Uitterlinden
André G
AG
Hofman
Albert
A
Verbrugh
Henri A
HA
Pols
Huibert A
HA
Lamberts
Steven W J
SW
van Belkum
Alex
A
D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D023061:Gene Order; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid