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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, September 2000, p. 3174-3178, Vol. 38, No. 9
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Cutaneous Microenvironment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Seropositive and HIV-Seronegative Individuals, with Special Reference to Staphylococcus aureus Colonization

Michael Shapiro,1 Kathleen J. Smith,2 William D. James,1 Walter J. Giblin,3 David J. Margolis,1,4 Arlene N. Foglia,1 Kenneth McGinley,1,dagger and James J. Leyden1,*

Department of Dermatology1 and Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology,4 University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104; Department of Dermatology and Pathology, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 208892; and 15525 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 303, Rockville, Maryland 208503

Received 3 February 2000/Returned for modification 3 April 2000/Accepted 22 June 2000

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 differences in carriage rates were only observed for Staphylococcus aureus on the foreheads of seropositive individuals. Seronegative individuals demonstrated staphylococcal carriage rates 1.3 to 2 times as great as those of historical controls (defined as healthy individuals not receiving any medications) at five of six body sites. We conclude that seropositive military personnel do not exhibit statistically significant elevations in densities and carriage rates of the microorganisms examined (except Staphylococcus aureus), relative to seronegative individuals. Seropositive individuals may be predisposed to staphylococcal carriage. The elevated staphylococcal carriage rates of military personnel undergoing basic training warrants a formal evaluation of the impact of training exercises on cutaneous flora. The information gained may serve to limit the spread of infection during training exercises and battlefield conditions.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: 226 Rhoads Pavilion, 3600 Spruce St., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283. Phone: (215) 662-7339. Fax: (215) 662-4131. E-mail: jjleyden{at}mindspring.com.

dagger Deceased.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, September 2000, p. 3174-3178, Vol. 38, No. 9
0095-1137/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.




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