An epidemiological study on the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in superficial abscesses of patients presenting for surgery in a teaching hospital in Khartoum, Sudan.

A group of patients (n=86) suffering from superficial abscesses was recruited in the Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan. Detailed clinical and socio-economic data were collected. It appeared that 83% of all patients were younger than 40. Labourers were most prevalent (28%), followed by students (23%) and housewives (16%). The head and neck were most often affected (22%), with hands being second (19%). In 92% of all pus cultures a microbial agents was identified, the large majority being Staphylococcus aureus (69%). Among patients, 47% were nasal carriers of S. aureus, similar to the carriage rate measured among controls, suggesting that nasal carriage is no risk factor for abscess development. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of abscess, recent traditional medical treatment, poor hygiene and low socio-economic status were significantly and independently associated with the occurrence of superficial abscesses.