Smokeless Tobacco and Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most potent human bacterial pathogens, yet 20-30% of us carry this bacterium in our nose as part of our habitual microbiota. Studies have found association between smoking and S. aureus nasal carriage, while data on smokeless tobacco (SLT) have been largely lacking. As use of SLT is increasing in Norway, it would be interesting to see if the use of SLTs influences S. aureus carriage.

The study population includes the participants in the Tromsø Study - Fit Futures 1 (TFF1). In 2010-2011 TFF1 invited all first-year upper-secondary school students in Tromsø and Balsfjord to an examination of health and lifestyle. There were 1038 participants (93% attendance). The association between smokeless tobacco use and nasal and throat carriage was examined with logistic regression analysis, and odds ratio (OR) for nasal and throat carriage was adjusted for known risk factors.

Girls who used snuff sometimes or daily, had adjusted OR for S. aureus throat carriage of 1.59 (95% CI = 1.01-2.50; carriage defined as two positive throat cultures) compared with non-users. Girls who used snuff sometimes or daily, had adjusted OR for S. aureus nasal carriage of 1.86 (95% CI = 1.18-2.94; carriage defined as one or two positive nasal cultures). There was no association between snuff use and S. aureus throat or nasal carriage among boys.