DISCORDANCE BETWEEN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS NASAL COLONIZATION AND SKIN INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

We examined nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in otherwise healthy children presenting with skin and soft tissue infections. We found high rates of nasal colonization with S. aureus, but significant discordance between nasal and wound isolates. Recurrent skin and soft tissue infections were common but unrelated to baseline methicillin-resistant S. aureus nasal colonization status.