Staphylococcal colonization of caretakers of children who have community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections

William F. McNamara, Michael J. Falk, Yi Horng Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is considered a risk factor for the rising incidence of pediatric community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (CA-SSTIs), and intrafamily spread is thought to be the source of colonization. Methods: A prospective study was conducted to determine skin and nasal staphylococcal colonization rates among the caretakers of CA-SSTI patients and those of nonabscess controls. A questionnaire regarding risk factors was administered to all participants. Fisher's Exact test and the χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Forty-six patients and their caretakers were enrolled in both the study and control groups. Of the caretakers in the study group, 19.6% (n = 9) had staphylococcal colonization of nares; and 2.2% (n = 1), skin. In the control group, 17.4% (n = 8) had nasal colonization; and none had skin colonization. Of the children in the study group, 58.7% (n = 27) had a family history of CA-SSTI compared with only 17.4% (n = 8) of controls (P = .0001). Of CA-SSTI patients, 45.7% (n = 21) had prior abscesses compared with 6.5% (n = 3) of controls (P = .0001). No other risk factor was identified. Conclusion: There was no increase in nasal or skin staphylococcal colonization among caretakers of children with CA-SSTI. Family and personal histories of CA-SSTI were the only identified risk factors for CA-SSTI.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)1294-1298
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Keywords

  • Abscess
  • Colonization
  • Staphylococcus aureus

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