Cutaneous microenvironment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and HIV-seronegative individuals, with special reference to Staphylococcus aureus colonization

A cross-sectional quantitative study of cutaneous bacterial and yeast flora at seven body sites in 99 human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive and 50 seronegative military personnel was performed. Statistically significant d ifferences in carriage rates were only observed for Staphylococcus aureus o n the foreheads of seropositive individuals. Seronegative individuals demon strated staphylococcal carriage rates 1.3 to 2 times as great as those of h istorical controls (defined as healthy individuals not receiving any medica tions) at five of six body sites. We conclude that seropositive military pe rsonnel do not exhibit statistically significant elevations in densities an d carriage rates of the microorganisms examined (except Staphylococcus aure us), relative to seronegative individuals. Seropositive individuals may be predisposed to staphylococcal carriage. The elevated staphylococcal carriag e rates of military personnel undergoing basic training warrants a formal e valuation of the impact of training exercises on cutaneous flora. The infor mation gained may serve to limit the spread of infection during training ex ercises and battlefield conditions.