Dynamics of acquisition and loss of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus strains in the community: The effect of clonal complex

Both transient and longer-term carriage exist; however, the approximately constant rates of S. aureus gain and loss suggest that 'never' or truly 'persistent' carriage are rare. Long-term carriage varies by strain, offering new explanations for the success of certain S. aureus clones.