Molecular Epidemiology ofStaphylococcus aureusColonization in 2 Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract
Persistent colonization withStaphylococcus aureuswas assessed in 22 nursing home residents. Eighteen residents (82%) remained colonized with the same strain found at baseline; 6 (33%) of 18 residents transiently acquired a new strain. Four residents (18%) acquired a new persistent strain. Residents colonized with methicillin-resistantS. aureuswere more likely to acquire a new strain (67%) than were residents colonized with methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(20%) (P= .04).