APMAdvances in Precision Medicine2424-85922424-9106WHIOCE PUBLISHING PTE. LTD.10.18063/apm.v5i2.235ArticleNasal Colonization of Serine Protease esp-Positive  Staphylococcus epidermidis Affecting Staphylococcus  aureushttps://artdesignp.com/journal/APM/6/1/10.18063/apm.v5i2.235KangGoeun,KimHyun Soo,KimHan-Sung,SongWonkeun,KimJae-Seok2021612021-07-25Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common colonizer of the nasal  vestibule found in approximately 20%–30% of healthy adults, while  Staphylococcus epidermidis appears to be the most frequent colonizer  in all regions of the upper respiratory tract. Esp, a serine protease of S.  epidermidis, was reported to inhibit S. aureus colonization. This study  was performed to examine the nasal colonization of S. aureus and S.  epidermidis and the presence of esp determinants. Methods: Nasal  swab specimens from 54 patients were cultured on blood agar plates  (BAP) and selective media for S. aureus for bacteria isolation. After  48 hours of incubation with BAP, three or four colonies suspected of  being coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were identified by mass  spectrometry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for esp was performed  on all CNS isolates identified as S. epidermidis. Results: Forty-three S.  epidermidis strains were isolated from 18 (33.3%) of the 54 patients.  Nine (50.0%) of the 18 patients carried S. aureus, while the other  nine did not. Of the 36 S. epidermidis non-carriers, 13 (36.1%) were  colonized by S. aureus. All S. epidermidis strains were confirmed by  PCR to have esp determinants. Conclusion: S. epidermidis colonization  did not affect S. aureus colonization in the nasal cavity. All S.  epidermidis strains harbored the esp gene. There were no differences  in the nasal colonization rates of S. aureus according to the presence of  esp-positive S. epidermidis. Further research on the characterization of S.  epidermidis in Korea is needed to understand the association between S.  epidermidis and S. aureus colonization.Colonization,esp,Serine protease,Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis

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