Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among HIV-infected adults in Botswana: prevalence and risk factors

ABSTRACT

We sought to determine the clinical and epidemiologic determinants of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in HIV-infected individuals at two outpatient centers in southern Botswana. Standard microbiologic techniques were used to identify S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In a sample of 404 HIV-infected adults, prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage was 36.9% (n = 152) and was associated with domestic overcrowding and lower CD4 cell count. MRSA prevalence was low (n = 13, 3.2%), but more common among individuals with asthma and eczema. The implications of these findings for HIV management are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• S. aureus; HIV
• sub-Saharan Africa
• nasal colonization

Acknowledgements

We extend our thanks to the healthcare professionals of Princess Marina Hospital and Bamalete Lutheran Hospital for facilitating this research, the Botswana National Laboratory for laboratory use and support of the study and the Botswana-UPenn Partnership research nurses who enrolled subjects. Dr. Gerald Morris was instrumental in setting up and getting the study under way, and we are grateful for his help and laboratory expertise. Finally, we thank the study participants, whose willingness to be involved in the study is greatly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This publication was made possible through core services and support from the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), an NIH-funded program (P30 AI 045008) and benefitted from funding from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute (to A.P.S).