Why Staph may persist in the nose of certain individuals

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Nasal colonization or extended residence of Staph in the inner lining of nose has been a well-recognized risk factor for Staph infection in the deeper tissue including wound infections after undergoing surgery.

It is not certain why certain people may develop persistent nasal colonization whereas, most others remain free of such bacterial presence and persistence.

Nurjadi et al recently presented their compelling research, in which they compared individuals with Staph colonization versus those with no evidence of nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus. They found a significant difference among immune response in “T cell” or T lymphocyte function.

Persons with a prominent IL17A (a chemical directed response that promotes white blood cell/neutrophil inflammation in the tissue) had a nearly 100% increase in the risk for such colonization; whereas individuals with a prominent interferon-gamma based response had a 35% risk reduction for Staph colonization, which was most likely mediated by higher production of human-beta-defensin-3.

Beta defensin-3 is a “positively charged” antibacterial peptide (the small building blocks of a protein) that are secreted on the epithelial surfaces including the inner lining of nose and provide robust resistance to bacterial colonization (persistent presence). This protection is yielded against the “negatively charged” bacteria. The antibacterial peptide assists in forming pores or holes on outer covering (skin) of the bacteria resulting in eventual bacterial death.

 

Please take note,

Staph colonization of nose should be avoided by adhering to the standards of good hygiene.

Washing hands with soap and water remains the cornerstone for healthy lifestyle.

 

Albeit, the risk for persistent Staph in the nose for some individuals may have a more complex underlying reason;  further research will improve our understanding for these complexities that differentiate the risk of acquiring infection for one person than the other.

 

Nurjadi D, Kain M, Marcinek P, Gaile M, Heeg K, Zanger P. Ratio of T-Helper Type 1 (Th1) to Th17 Cytokines in Whole Blood Is Associated With Human β-Defensin 3 Expression in Skin and Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Carriage. J Infect Dis. 2016 Dec 1;214(11):1744-1751.