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Risk for S. aureus infection highest in first month of life
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Staphylococcus aureus bacteria colonize the nasopharynx almost immediately after birth, but decline rapidly as other respiratory bacterial pathogens are introduced, according to recent study data.
“The risk for S. aureus colonization of infants is highest in the first month of life and thereafter declines quickly as other respiratory bacterial pathogens are acquired,” Janak A. Patel, MD, of the department of pediatrics at University of Texas, and colleagues wrote. “This effect is stronger with gram-negative bacteria, such as nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.”
The researchers collected swabs of nasopharyngeal bacteria from 367 infant patients throughout the first 6 months after birth. Between 2008 and 2013, the researchers collected 1,765 bacterial culture swabs from the patient cohort. Nasopharynx swabs were collected once a month for 6 consecutive months.
Study results showed that S. aureus colonization was recorded at its highest rate of colonization during the first month of life, making up 25% of the bacterial pathogen population in samples. The colonization rate of S. aureus declined significantly during the study period, to 12% at month 6.
The researchers noted that S. aureus colonization was diminished by the presence of three gram-negative bacteria: nontypeable H. influenza, M. catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumonia.
Study results did not show any association between S. aureus and viral upper respiratory infections, breast-feeding, day care attendance or cigarette smoke exposure.
“Other environmental and host factors do not appear to be important,” Patel and colleagues wrote. “Additional studies are needed to identify direct and indirect factors that alter the dynamics of colonization of bacterial pathogens in nasopharynx of infants after birth.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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