Differences between Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and IgE-sensitization to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin on risk factors and effects in adult population

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) nasal carriage (SA carriage) and IgE-sensitization to SA enterotoxin (SE IgE-sensitization) are known to be associated with chronic airway disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in risk factors, type 2 inflammation and respiratory symptoms between SA carriage and SE IgE-sensitization. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a community-based adult population to evaluate the environmental exposure and health impact of the Pohang Industrial Complex, Korea. Participants were examined based on self-reported questionnaires, nasal swab, and blood sampling. RESULTS: There were 307 participants, and the overall prevalence of SA carriage and SE IgE-sensitization was 26.1% (80/307) and 25.7% (79/307), respectively. An urban environment was significantly correlated with SA carriage, whereas age and obesity were significantly correlated with SE IgE-sensitization. SA carriage was not associated with an increase in total IgE and blood eosinophil count, whereas SE IgE-sensitization was associated with an increased total IgE and blood eosinophil count. SA carriage was significantly correlated with cough persisting for more than three weeks (OR, 3.044; 95% CI, 1.137–8.153) and sputum (OR, 2.429; 95% CI, 1.008–5.854). SE IgE-sensitization was a significant correlation with only sputum (OR, 2.452; 95% CI, 1.066–5.640). SA carriage and SE IgE-sensitization showed a synergistic effect on the prevalence of cough and sputum. CONCLUSION: SA carriage was associated with the urban environment, and SE IgE-sensitization was associated with the elderly and obesity. SA carriage and SE IgE-sensitization had different correlation with type 2 inflammation and airway symptoms. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13223-022-00648-4.