title: Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among healthy adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data on the carriage rate and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Staphylococcus aureus strains prevalent in the community are not available for many developing countries including Malaysia. To estimate the extent of community S. aureus transmission, in particular methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), the prevalence of S. aureus nasal colonization in a population of healthy adults was determined. Factors associated with S. aureus nasal carriage and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the isolates were also analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 346 adults was conducted. Nasal swabs were examined for the presence of S. aureus. Epidemiological information concerning risk factors for nasal carriage was also obtained. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines. MRSA strains isolated were further subjected to pulse-field gel electrophoresis analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage was 23.4%. The findings also revealed that ex-smokers (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-6.32, p=0.033) and oral contraceptive users (95% CI 1.12-21.67, p=0.035) were more likely to harbor S. aureus. One person was colonized with MRSA, which was different from the hospital strain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRSA nasal colonization was found to be low outside of the health care environment. Smokers and oral contraceptive users have high nasal carrier rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chong Seng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chow Suet
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Afra Abu
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bakar
authors.forename: Zamberi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sakewi
authors.forename: Nyi Nyi
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Naing
authors.forename: Farida
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.forename: Norlijah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Othman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013334:Students; D014789:Visitors to Patients
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D008712:Methicillin