Table 1 Characteristics of the 71 study patients and events during the study Staphylococcus aureus colonization sites

At baseline

Age, years, mean ± SD

65.0 ± 14.5

66.1 ± 11.4

63.1 ± 13.2

0.76

Length of stay, mean ± SD

22.6 ± 18.6

19.2 ± 16.1

13.2 ± 12.1

0.13

Male sex, no. (%)

26 (100)

13 (100)

32 (100)

1

Clinical conditions, no. (%)

   Chronic renal failure

3 (11.5)

2 (15.4)

2 (6.3)

0.61

   Diabetes mellitus

9 (34.6)

4 (30.8)

12 (37.5)

0.91

   Chronic dermatologic conditions

1 (3.8)

1 (7.7)

1 (3.1)

0.25

   Wounds

11 (42.3)

4 (30.8)

6 (18.8)

0.15

   Liver disease

4 (15.4)

1 (7.7)

1 (3.1)

0.25

   Cancer

5 (19.2)

0 (0)

7 (21.9)

0.19

Nursing home resident, no. (%)

4 (15.4)

3 (23.1)

5 (15.6)

0.81

During the study, no. (%)

Admission to intensive care unit

4 (15.4

1 (7.7)

2 (6.3)

0.13

Nasogastric tube

6 (23.1)

2 (15.4)

3 (9.4)

0.36

Mechanical ventilation

6 (23.1)

1 (7.7)

2 (6.3)

0.13

Antibiotic therapy

18 (69.2)

9 (69.2)

21 (65.6)

0.95

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization

10 (38.5)

4 (30.8)

7 (21.9)

0.39

Central venous catheter

5 (19.2)

1 (7.7)

6 (18.8)

0.62

Diarrhea or fecal incontinence

15 (57.7)

8 (61.5)

8 (25)

0.06

Surgery

4 (15.4)

2 (15.4)

6 (18.8)

0.93

Proton pump inhibitor or H₂ blocker

18 (69.2)

9 (69.2)

21 (65.6)

0.95

S. aureus infection

8 (30.8)

2 (15.4)

1 (3.1)

0.02