RESUMEN
The study was performed to investigate the prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (NCSA) in patients with chronic renal failure(CRF) and its relationship with incidence of bacteremia in patients on hemodialysis(HD). The preventive effect of external application of mupirocin ointment on HD patients with venous catheters was also observed. Nasal swabs were taken from 114 CRF patients hospitalized from Nov. 2000 to April 2002. Samples from 42 patients in CCU with normal renal function and 48 staffs working in HD centre were also analyzed. External application of mupirocin ointment near the exit sites of catheters was performed as prophylaxis in HD patients with venous catheters. The prevalence of SA bacteremia was compared with that of the historical control group from Jan.1999 to Oct.2000. The results showed that the prevalence of NCSA in CRF patients was 14% (16/114). Nasal swab cultures were all negative in CCU patients, as well as staffs working in the HD centre. The mean frequency of SA bacteremia in HD patients with NCSA was 0 12/catheter month, compared to 0 in HD patients with no NCSA( P