Prevalence of and risk factors for colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among adults in community settings in Taiwan.
In order to determine the prevalence of methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among adults in community settings in Taiwan and identify its risk factors, we conducted the present study. For a 3-month period, we enrolled all adults who attended mandatory health examinations at three medical centers and signed the informed consent. Nasal swabs were taken for the isolation of S. aureus. For each MRSA isolate, we performed multilocus sequence typing, identification of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec, tests for the presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene, and tests for drug susceptibilities. Risk factors for MRSA colonization were determined. The results indicated that the MRSA colonization rate among adults in the community settings in Taiwan was 3.8% (119/3,098). Most MRSA isolates belonged to sequence type 59 (84.0%). Independent risk factors for MRSA colonization included the presence of household members less than 7 years old (P < 0.0001) and the use of antibiotics within the past year (P = 0.0031). Smoking appeared to be protective against MRSA colonization (P < 0.0001).
Wang
Jann-Tay
JT
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.
Liao
Chun-Hsing
CH
Fang
Chi-Tai
CT
Chie
Wei-Chu
WC
Lai
Mei-Shu
MS
Lauderdale
Tsai-Ling
TL
Lee
Wen-Sen
WS
Huang
Jeng-Hua
JH
Chang
Shan-Chwen
SC
D000328:Adult; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin