Staphylococcus aureus and the oral cavity: An overlooked source of carriage and infection?

McCormack, M.G., Smith, A.J. , Akram, A.N., Jackson, M., Robertson, D. and Edwards, G. (2015) Staphylococcus aureus and the oral cavity: An overlooked source of carriage and infection? American Journal of Infection Control, 43(1), pp. 35-37. (doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.09.015) (PMID:25564121)

Abstract

Background The role of intraoral Staphylococcus aureus in disease and cross-infection sources is controversial. We present a 10-year retrospective analysis of laboratory data reporting isolation of S aureus from oral and perioral clinical specimens.<p></p> Methods A review of laboratory records for specimens where S aureus was isolated were collated and analyzed from January 1998-December 2007 at the Oral Microbiology Laboratory, Glasgow Dental Hospital.<p></p> Results There were 11,312 specimens submitted to the laboratory over the study time period. S aureus was isolated from 1,986 specimens (18%). Of these, 1,782 (90%) were methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA), and 204 (10%) were methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). The most common specimen type from which MSSA was isolated was an oral rinse, whereas for MRSA this was a tongue swab. Most of the MRSA isolates were EMRSA-15 or EMRSA-16 lineage.<p></p> Conclusion These findings suggest that S aureus continues to be a frequent isolate in the oral cavity and perioral region. The oral cavity should be considered a source of S aureus in terms of cross-infection and dissemination to other body sites. The role of S aureus in the pathogenesis of certain oral diseases should also be considered as part of a differential diagnosis.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Smith, Professor Andrew and Robertson, Mr Douglas
• Authors: McCormack, M.G., Smith, A.J., Akram, A.N., Jackson, M., Robertson, D., and Edwards, G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: American Journal of Infection Control
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0196-6553
• ISSN (Online): 0196-6553