AUTHOR=Sakr Adèle , Brégeon Fabienne , Mège Jean-Louis , Rolain Jean-Marc , Blin Olivier 

TITLE=Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization: An Update on Mechanisms, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Subsequent Infections

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2018.02419

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Up to 30% of the human population are asymptomatically and permanently colonized with nasal <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic>. To successfully colonize human nares, <italic>S. aureus</italic> needs to establish solid interactions with human nasal epithelial cells and overcome host defense mechanisms. However, some factors like bacterial interactions in the human nose can influence <italic>S. aureus</italic> colonization and sometimes prevent colonization. On the other hand, certain host characteristics and environmental factors can predispose to colonization. Nasal colonization can cause opportunistic and sometimes life-threatening infections such as surgical site infections or other infections in non-surgical patients that increase morbidity, mortality as well as healthcare costs.</p>