title: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization burden in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemic of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has had a disproportionate impact on patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated CA-MRSA colonization burden (number of colonized sites per total number sampled) among HIV-infected and HIV-negative inpatients within 72 hours of hospitalization. From March 2011 through April 2012, we obtained cultures from nasal and extranasal sites (throat, axilla, inguinal, perirectal, and chronic wound if present) and collected risk factor data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 745 patients (374 HIV-infected, 371 HIV-negative), 15.7% were colonized with CA-MRSA at any site: 20% of HIV and 11% of HIV-negative patients (relative prevalence=1.8, P=.002). HIV-infected patients had a higher prevalence of nasal, extranasal, and exclusive extranasal colonization as well as higher colonization burden. Perirectal and inguinal areas were the extranasal sites most frequently colonized, and 38.5% of colonized patients had exclusive extranasal colonization. Seventy-three percent of isolates were identified as USA300. Among HIV-infected patients, male sex, younger age, and recent incarceration were positively associated whereas Hispanic ethnicity was negatively associated with higher colonization burden. Among HIV-negative patients, temporary housing (homeless, shelter, or substance abuse center) was the only factor associated with higher colonization burden. Predictors of USA300 included HIV, younger age, illicit drug use, and male sex; all but 1 colonized individual with current or recent incarceration carried USA300.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-infected patients were more likely to have a higher CA-MRSA colonization burden and carry USA300. In certain populations, enhanced community and outpatient-based infection control strategies may be needed to prevent CA-MRSA cross-transmission and infection.
authors: Rush University Medical Center, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, and University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. kyle_popovich@rush.edu
authors: Kyle J
authors: KJ
authors: Popovich
authors: Bala
authors: B
authors: Hota
authors: Alla
authors: A
authors: Aroutcheva
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Kurien
authors: Janki
authors: J
authors: Patel
authors: Rosie
authors: R
authors: Lyles-Banks
authors: Amanda E
authors: AE
authors: Grasso
authors: Andrej
authors: A
authors: Spec
authors: Kathleen G
authors: KG
authors: Beavis
authors: Mary K
authors: MK
authors: Hayden
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011330:Prisons; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology