141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

287920
Prevalence of staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men

Monday, November 4, 2013

Nina Leung, MPH , Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHSC - School of Public Health, Houston, TX
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous microorganism typically colonizing the nasopharynx, skin, and mucous membranes. It is among the most abundant causes of clinically-significant bacterial infections accounting for significant morbidity and mortality among individuals with HIV/AIDS. Evidence of higher colonization rates have been observed, however the majority of previous studies were conducted in clinical settings and estimates have been variable. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MSSA, MRSA) nasal colonization among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) in the third cycle of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) in Houston, Texas. Methods: Between July 2012 - November 2012, nasal swabs were obtained, and microbiologic identification of S. aureus was conducted. Methicillin resistance was determined by oxacillin E-test strips with bacterial inoculums equivalent to a 0.5 McFarland turbidity standard. Results: Of the 202 samples collected, the prevalence of any S. aureus colonization was 29.7% and the prevalence of MRSA colonization was 2.97%. Among HIV-positive participants, MSSA and MRSA colonization was 30.56% and 0%, respectively. Among HIV-negative participants, MSSA and MRSA colonization was 25.90% and 3.61%, respectively. In addition, significant differences for colonization among MSM were observed among individuals participating in receptive and unprotected insertive anal sex (p<.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of S. aureus colonization among HIV-positive MSM is significantly higher than that of the general population. It also supports previous hypotheses that behavioral factors among MSM play a role in S. aureus transmission and colonization.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
Identify the prevalence of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) in the third cycle of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) in Houston, Texas

Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD student with several years of epidemiology and laboratory research experience regarding the topic of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infections. My research interests include antibiotic resistance mechanisms in immunocompromised individuals.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.