BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections in the United States, and S. aureus colonization increases the risk of infection. Although athletes have a higher risk of infection with S. aureus than the general population, most studies in athletes have not assessed colonization. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of Vanderbilt University varsity athletes from August 2008 to April 2010. We assessed nasal and oropharyngeal colonization with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains by obtaining swabs at enrollment and monthly thereafter until the end of the study. The athletes were also monitored for skin and soft tissue infections. RESULTS: We enrolled 377 athletes and trainers (224 in contact sports and 153 in noncontact sports). The total S. aureus colonization prevalence ranged from 34% to 62%, and for MRSA it ranged from 8% to 29%. The colonization rate in the summer was significantly higher than that in the winter (odds ratio for MRSA [ORMRSA], 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.35]; ORMSSA, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.05-1.82]). Of 603 MRSA isolates, 75% carried the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV, and 5% carried the genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Nine symptomatic S. aureus infections occurred, 7 of which were between July and September. CONCLUSIONS: The S. aureus colonization rate is higher than previously reported and fluctuated over time in this prospective cohort of athletes. The higher colonization prevalence during summer might explain the infectious outbreak during the summer months and may represent a key intervention time for preventing S. aureus disease in athletes.
BACKGROUND:Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections in the United States, and S. aureus colonization increases the risk of infection. Although athletes have a higher risk of infection with S. aureus than the general population, most studies in athletes have not assessed colonization. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of Vanderbilt University varsity athletes from August 2008 to April 2010. We assessed nasal and oropharyngeal colonization with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains by obtaining swabs at enrollment and monthly thereafter until the end of the study. The athletes were also monitored for skin and soft tissue infections. RESULTS: We enrolled 377 athletes and trainers (224 in contact sports and 153 in noncontact sports). The total S. aureus colonization prevalence ranged from 34% to 62%, and for MRSA it ranged from 8% to 29%. The colonization rate in the summer was significantly higher than that in the winter (odds ratio for MRSA [ORMRSA], 1.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.35]; ORMSSA, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.05-1.82]). Of 603 MRSA isolates, 75% carried the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type IV, and 5% carried the genes encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Nine symptomatic S. aureus infections occurred, 7 of which were between July and September. CONCLUSIONS: The S. aureus colonization rate is higher than previously reported and fluctuated over time in this prospective cohort of athletes. The higher colonization prevalence during summer might explain the infectious outbreak during the summer months and may represent a key intervention time for preventing S. aureus disease in athletes.
Authors: Erica S Pan; Binh A Diep; Heather A Carleton; Edwin D Charlebois; George F Sensabaugh; Barbara L Haller; Françoise Perdreau-Remington Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2003-10-17 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: M Müller-Premru; B Strommenger; N Alikadic; W Witte; A W Friedrich; K Seme; N Svent Kucina; D Smrke; V Spik; M Gubina Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Paul A Harris; Robert Taylor; Robert Thielke; Jonathon Payne; Nathaniel Gonzalez; Jose G Conde Journal: J Biomed Inform Date: 2008-09-30 Impact factor: 6.317
Authors: Isaac Thomsen; Brian D McKenna; Elizabeth J Saye; Natalia Jimenez; Kathryn M Edwards; C Buddy Creech Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 2.129
Authors: G Lina; Y Piémont; F Godail-Gamot; M Bes; M O Peter; V Gauduchon; F Vandenesch; J Etienne Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 1999-11 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Daniel Garza; Gannon Sungar; Tyler Johnston; Brice Rolston; Jeffrey D Ferguson; Gordon O Matheson Journal: Clin J Sport Med Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 3.638
Authors: Natalia Jiménez-Truque; Elizabeth J Saye; Nicole Soper; Benjamin R Saville; Isaac Thomsen; Kathryn M Edwards; C Buddy Creech Journal: Sports Med Date: 2017-05 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Martyna Kasela; Agnieszka Grzegorczyk; Izabela Korona-Głowniak; Mateusz Ossowski; Bożena Nowakowicz-Dębek; Anna Malm Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-02 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Marco Cassone; Julia Mantey; Kyle J Gontjes; Bonnie J Lansing; Kristen E Gibson; Joyce Wang; Lona Mody Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-07-12