title: High prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin among methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus colonization isolates in rural Iowa.
abstract: Recent studies have shown that livestock can carry Staphylococcus aureus and transmit it to human caretakers. We conducted a pilot study to determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus among rural Iowans, including individuals with livestock contact. Nasal and throat swabs were collected and plated onto selective media to isolate methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), followed by antibiotic resistance testing and molecular analysis of the isolates. While no MRSA was detected, overall, 23.7% (31/131) of participants were found to harbor S. aureus in their nose, throat, or both. Fifteen isolates displayed resistance to one or more tested antibiotics, and the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes were present at a high level (29% [9/31] of S. aureus-positive participants). Younger age and tobacco use were associated with increased risk of S. aureus carriage. Our results suggest that carriage of PVL-positive S. aureus is common among rural Iowans, even in the absence of detectable MRSA colonization.
authors.affiliation: Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Shylo E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wardyn
authors.forename: Brett M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Forshey
authors.forename: Tara C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D002353:Carrier State; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics*; D058751:Livestock; D008297:Male; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin; D008712:Methicillin