To examine the association of colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and general population mortality, we followed 10,598 adults for 8.5 years on average. Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus colonization was not associated with death. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus carriage predicted death in a crude analysis but not after adjustment for socioeconomic status and co-morbidities.
Keywords: MRSA; MSSA; Staphylococcus aureus; United States; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; colonization; methicillin resistance; mortality; prognosis; survival.