title: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus Colonization and Risk Factors for Infection Among Military Personnel in a Shipboard Setting.
abstract: Staphylococcal skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), especially those due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are an important public health issue for the military. Limited data exist regarding the prevalence of S. aureus colonization in the shipboard setting. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study to determine the point prevalence of S. aureus colonization among military personnel onboard a naval vessel. Asymptomatic active duty personnel completed a survey for risk factors associated with colonization and SSTIs. Culture specimens were obtained from the anterior nares, pharynx, groin, and perirectal regions. MRSA isolates underwent testing for antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, and pulsed-field type. 400 individuals were enrolled, 198 (49.5%) of whom were colonized with S. aureus, with MRSA identified in 14 participants (3.5%). No significant risk factors were associated with MRSA colonization. USA800 was the most common colonizing MRSA strain in the cohort and was detected in 10 participants (71%). Two participants (14%) were colonized with USA300 MRSA. In this first report of S. aureus epidemiology in a shipboard setting, we observed high rates of S. aureus and MRSA colonization. Longitudinal studies are needed to document the incident rates of S. aureus colonization during shipboard deployment and its impact on SSTI risk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 11300 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda MD 20852.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 11300 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda MD 20852.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, San Diego, CA 92134.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Deiss
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708.
authors.forename: Coleman
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bryan
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 11300 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda MD 20852.
authors.forename: Michele D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tisdale
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 11300 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda MD 20852.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708.
authors.forename: Tahaniyat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lalani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012767:Ships; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce