Breastfeeding and mucosal and cutaneous colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in atopic children

• Published in: Anais brasileiros de dermatología Vol. 86; no. 3; pp. 435 - 439
• Main Authors: Chemello, Raissa Massaia Londero, Giugliani, Elsa Regina Justo, Bonamigo, Renan Rangel, Bauer, Vera Silveira, Cecconi, Maria Cristina P, Zubaran, Gladys M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-05-2011
• Subjects: Breast Feeding - adverse effects; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic - microbiology; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Nose - microbiology; Skin - microbiology; Staphylococcal Skin Infections - diagnosis; Staphylococcal Skin Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 1806-4841
• DOI: 10.1590/S0365-05962011000300002

Studies on the effects of breastfeeding on the development of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) have shown controversial results. The importance of this condition deserves further studies; in particular, it remains unclear whether colonization of atopic patients by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) through breastfeeding is relevant to the development of AD.
To examine the potential relation between breastfeeding and colonization by S. aureus in atopic patients.
Transversal study of atopic patients, aged from 4 to 24 months, both genders, receiving outpatient care and 72 mothers. Data on infant breastfeeding practices and on clinical-epidemiological profile were registered. Swabs of the infants' nares and skin (cubital fossa) and swabs of the mothers' nares were collected. For univariate analysis, X2 (chi-square) and Fischer Exact's test were used.
Among breastfed children, S. aureus was isolated from 8 (25.8%) infants' nares swabs and from 4 (12.9%) skin swabs. Among not breastfed children, S. aureus was isolated from 10 (20.8%) infants' nares swabs and from 11 (22.9%) skin swabs. Sixteen mothers (22.2%) had S. aureus isolated from their nares swabs. There was no significant association between breastfeeding and S. aureus colonization (child skin and/or nares). However, there was a degree of concordance for S. aureus carriage among mothers and infants. Among 72 pairs, 56 (77.8%) were concordant.
Breastfeeding was not associated with S. aureus muco-cutaneous colonization in atopic infants.