Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and prevention of nosocomial infections.

Journal article

This review summarizes the clinically relevant aspects of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. The epidemiology, associated risk, and the effects of eradication are discussed. The main conclusions are that nasal carriage of S. aureus is a well-defined risk factor for subsequent infection in nearly all categories of hospitalized patients that have been studied. However, studies that have been performed to evaluate the effect of eradication of carriage using mupirocin nasal ointment have be...

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Authors: Kluytmans, J; Wertheim, H

• Journal: Infection
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3-8
• Publication date: 2005-02-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s15010-005-4012-9
• EISSN: 1439-0973
• ISSN: 0300-8126
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Nasal Mucosa; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Risk Factors; Staphylococcus aureus; Carrier State; Humans; Prevalence; Staphylococcal Vaccines; Staphylococcal Infections; Cross Infection; Nose