Nasal Carriage of Staphylococcus Aureus among Apparently Healthy School Children in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterial cause for diverse range of infections, from folliculitis and furunculosis to life-threatening infections, including sepsis, deep abscesses, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and infective endocarditis Lowy [1]. It colonizes the skin and mucosa of human beings and several animal species Sapna et al. [2]. Although multiple body sites can be colonized in human beings, the anterior nares of the nose is the most frequent carriage site for S. aureus in both adults and children Sapna et al. [2]. The hand carriage and nasal carriage of S. aureus are strongly correlated [3] suggesting that contaminated hands most commonly cause the colonization of the nares. Nasal carriers can act as “cloud” individual during rhinitis, dispersing S. aureus into the environment Sherertz et al. [4]. Also, causal association between S. aureus nasal carriage and staphylococcal disease has been confirmed by many studies Sapna et al., [2]. Therefore, it is important to study the prevalence of nasal carriage of S. aureus and factors associated with such carriage to prevent spread of S. aureus in the community. Screening the nasal carriage isolates of S. aureus for antibiotic resistance patterns will provide guidelines for empiric therapy of community-acquired infections.