FIG 7.

K. aerogenes, C. koseri, and M. lincolnii inhibit S. aureus survival in nasal secretions. Three unique strains of S. aureus (2 nasal isolates and USA300) were incubated alone or with an equivalent input of the indicated strain in undiluted human nasal fluid which was processed briefly to prevent growth of endogenous microbes. (A) S. aureus recovery (%) for the presented incubations. Bars represent the mean ± SEM; n = 3; ***, P < 0.0001 versus S. aureus alone (100% recovery). (B) Fold growth in nasal fluid for S. aureus alone (3 strains, black circles) or the indicated competitor (open circles) when mixed with S. aureus. Error bars represent the mean ± SEM.