Quantitative studies of the flora of the nasal vestibule in relation to nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.

Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora and yeast flora of the nasal vestibule were studied quantitatively in eight persons who were persistent, transient or non-carriers of Staphylococcus aureus. The nasal flora of all the subjects consisted of lipophilic and non-lipophilic aerobic diphtheroids, propionibacteria and different staphylococcal species. Other micro-organisms, such as Pityrosporum and Candida, micrococci, streptococci and coliforms were found only occasionally. The presence of S. aureus was related to diminished numbers of other staphylococcal strains and of propionibacteria.