Study of the Impact of a Targeted Decolonization of S. Aureus Persistent Carriers

Overview

S. aureus nasal carriage is a well-known risk factor for S. aureus infections in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Strains of carriage and infections are the same in \>80% of cases We recently shown that persistent carriers of S. aureus, not intermittent ones are at increased risk of staphylococcal infections in HD. Thanks to a new algorithm developped based on one nasal sample the determination of carriage status (persistent, intermittent or non-carriers) among patients is easy. Mupirocin use in HD have been shown to reduce significantly S. aureus infections however, multiples schedules of decolonization have been proposed to all S. aureus carriers. To date, there is no national guideline for decolonization of S. aureus in HD. We showed that only 50% of HD centers in France propose screening and decolonization of S. aureus carriers. The aim of the study is therefore to evaluate the impact of a targeted decolonization of S. aureus persistent carriers using mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine baths during 5 days on the occurrence of S. aureus infections in HD patients compared to the absence of decolonization using a randomized open study methodology.

Hemodialysis patients will be randomized in 2 arms: one arm where persistent carriers will be decolonized. Decolonization schedule associate the use of mupirocin nasal ointment 3 times a day and chlorhexidine bath once a day for 5 days. Screening of persistent carriers in this arm will be done every 3 months and a new decolonization will be proposed to patients found (again) persistent carriers. Determination of carriage status will be done using one nasal swab by following the algorithm previously described. Bacterial load will be determined by a quantitative S. aureus PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) : persistent carriers are the patient with a bacterial load \> 103 CFU/mL (Colony Forming Unit) . The other arm is HD patients in which decolonization is not performed including impersistent carriers. All infections that occurred in enrolled patients will be counted in both groups