Reduction of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and infection in dialysis patients

Numerous studies conducted in different countries and in different populations of patients on dialysis have consistently documented that a large proportion of such patients carry Staphylococcus aureus in their nares and that the risk of them becoming infected with their own strains is quite high. Furthermore, S. aureus infections can cause considerable morbidity and mortality in these patients. Thus, decolonization of the nares may prevent S. aureus infections and the attendant complications. The published data that support the use of rifampicin, intranasal mupirocin and povidone-iodine to prevent S. aureus infections in patients on dialysis are reviewed in detail.