Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in a college student athlete population.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) nasal carriage, risk factors for nasal carriage, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in college student athletes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal samples and data collection forms were obtained at athletic team training rooms at 2 colleges.


METHODS
: The study population included 277 college student athletes older than 18 years.


METHODS
A nasal swab was obtained from each athlete after completion of a data collection form. Variables collected on the data collection form included age, sex, race/ethnicity, athletic team, recent health care exposure(s), history of CA-MRSA exposure, recent antibiotic treatment(s), sharing towels, razors or soap, nose picking, and on-campus or off-campus living.


METHODS
Prevalence of CA-MRSA nasal carriage and antibiotic susceptibility patterns was analyzed. Risk factors for nasal carriage were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Five positive CA-MRSA nasal carriers (4 men and 1 woman) were identified of 277 sampled; a prevalence of 1.8%. Two institutions were involved in the study. Institution 1 had 4 positive CA-MRSA nasal carriers of 124 sampled (3.2%). Institution 2 had 1 positive CA-MRSA nasal carrier of 153 sampled (0.65%). No risk factors were found to be significantly associated with positive CA-MRSA nasal carriage.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of CA-MRSA nasal carriage in college student athletes in East Tennessee (1.8%) seems similar to what has been reported in the general population (1.5%).
Rackham
Daniel M
DM
Department of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920, USA.
Ray
Shaunta' M
SM
Franks
Andrea S
AS
Bielak
Kenneth M
KM
Pinn
Tanika M
TM
D056352:Athletes; D002353:Carrier State; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult