Airborne Dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus Associated with Symptomatic Rhinitis Allergica

Letters5 August 2003Airborne Dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus Associated with Symptomatic Rhinitis AllergicaStefano Bassetti, MD, Robert J. Sherertz, MD, and Michael A. Pfaller, MDStefano Bassetti, MDWake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (Bassetti, Sherertz)University of Iowa College of Medicine; Iowa City, IA 52242 (Pfaller)Search for more papers by this author, Robert J. Sherertz, MDWake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (Bassetti, Sherertz)University of Iowa College of Medicine; Iowa City, IA 52242 (Pfaller)Search for more papers by this author, and Michael A. Pfaller, MDWake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (Bassetti, Sherertz)University of Iowa College of Medicine; Iowa City, IA 52242 (Pfaller)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-139-3-200308050-00021-w1 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Airborne transmission of Staphylococcus aureus is considered rare (1). However, previous studies showed that a viral infection can drastically increase the dispersion of S. aureus into the air by nasal S. aureus carriers (2-4). We investigated airborne S. aureus dispersal by a nasal S. aureus carrier with allergic rhinitis. The carrier was asymptomatic while receiving an antihistamine. Air cultures were performed in a chamber with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration using four Andersen air samplers and settle plates (Thermo Andersen Corp., Franklin, Massachusetts) (4). During each study day, the cultures were done with the volunteer sitting in ...References1. John JF, Barg NL. Staphylococcus aureus.. In: Mayhall CG, eds. Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999:325-45. Google Scholar2. Eichenwald HF, Kotsevalov O, Fasso LA. The cloud baby: an example of bacterial-viral interaction. Am J Dis Child. 1960;100:161-73. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. Sherertz RJ, Reagan DR, Hampton KD, Robertson KL, Streed SA, Hoen HM, . A cloud adult: the Staphylococcus aureus-virus interaction revisited. Ann Intern Med. 1996;124:539-47. LinkGoogle Scholar4. Bassetti S, Bassetti-Wyss B, D'Agostino RB Jr, Gwaltney JM, Pfaller MA, Sherertz RJ. Cloud adults exist: airborne dispersal of Staphylococcus aureus associated with a rhinovirus infection [Abstract]. Presented at 38th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, New Orleans, Louisiana, 710 September 2000. Abstract no. 115. Google Scholar5. Harris JM, Gwaltney JM. Incubation periods of experimental rhinovirus infection and illness. Clin Infect Dis. 1996;23:1287-90. [PMID: 8953073] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (Bassetti, Sherertz)University of Iowa College of Medicine; Iowa City, IA 52242 (Pfaller) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byBacterial–viral interactions: a factor that facilitates transmission heterogeneities Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Pathogens Staphylococcus aureus dispersal from healthy volunteersAerosol survival of Staphylococcus epidermidisEpidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy Venezuelan childrenEvans’ Infections of Humans: Staphylococcal InfectionsControl of Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusCo-circulation of human metapneumovirus and SARS-associated coronavirus during a major nosocomial SARS outbreak in Hong KongDispersal of Staphylococcus aureus Into the Air Associated With a Rhinovirus Infection 5 August 2003Volume 139, Issue 3Page: W-60KeywordsAllergic rhinitisColony forming unitsCoughingMucusParticulatesPulsed-field gel electrophoresisRhinitisSneezingStaphylococcus aureusViral transmission and infection ePublished: 5 August 2003 Issue Published: 5 August 2003 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2003 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...