Nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in active, independent, community seniors

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of nasal colonization with Staphyloco ccus aureus (SA) in active, independent community seniors and old people in a nursing home. Design: cross-sectional brief questionnaire and screening culture of anteri or nares specimens from 165 elders at a community centre and cross-sectiona l data from a recent survey in a nursing home. Results: the prevalence of SA colonization in community seniors (27%) was s imilar to that in the nursing home (29%). The proportion of SA isolates tha t were methicillin-resistant was much lower in the community seniors (2.3%) than in the nursing-home residents (31%). There was less antibiotic resist ance in those living at home. Conclusion: in community seniors the prevalence of SA colonization was simi lar to that in nursing-home residents, but the prevalence of methicillin-re sistant SA was lower. Susceptibility patterns of antibiotics tested against the SA showed less resistance than isolates from nursing-home patients.