Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus haemolyticus as risk factor for human infections

We report data concerning the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and a subsequent infection (conjunctivitis and carbunculosis) in two patie nts. The isolates were obtained from the nose and the site of infection of each patient. They were investigated phenotypically for their haemolytic pr operties and antibiotic susceptibilities and genotypically by plasmid analy sis and by DNA fingerprinting. Based on these results we report a relation between the nasal strain and the strain obtained from the site of infection . Nasal carriage of S. haemolyticus could be considered as a risk factor fo r subsequent infection. Med Sci Res 27:573-575 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.