Abstract
BackgroundNasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for the pathogen transmission and the development of infections. Limited information is available on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of S. aureus colonization in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) patients.MethodsA cross-sectional, island-wide study was conducted in 2011. Nasal swabs were collected from pediatric ICU patients at six tertiary hospitals in Taiwan.ResultsOf 114 patients enrolled in total, nasal colonization of S. arueus was detected in 30 (26.3%) of them, among whom 20 (17.5%) with methicillin-resistant S. arueus (MRSA). The ST59/SCCmec IV and V clones were most common and accounted for 45% of MRSA isolates, followed by ST239/SCCmec III (25%) and ST45/SCCmec IV (20%) clones. Three ST59 MRSA isolates carried the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin genes.ConclusionsThe results indicated a high prevalence of S. arueus and MRSA nasal colonization among pediatric ICU patients in Taiwan. Identification of epidemic clones warrants the implement of infection control measures to reduce colonization and prevent the dissemination of MRSA in hospitals.
Highlights
Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for the pathogen transmission and the development of infections
All six participating hospitals are tertiary medical centers, of which Memorial Hospital (MM), Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (LC) and T are located in northern Taiwan, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (KC) and Cheng Kung University Hospital (CK) are located in southern Taiwan and Tzu-Chi General Hospital (TC) is located in eastern Taiwan
The prevalence of S. aureus colonization A total of 114 patients were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at two time points (56 in October 10th and 58 in December 12th, 2011, respectively) and all were enrolled in the study
Summary
Nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for the pathogen transmission and the development of infections. Among clinical S. aureus isolates, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a widespread pathogen in both the community and hospital settings [1]. Colonization with S. aureus is a risk factor for the development of clinical S. aureus infection [6, 7]. A large-scale prospective study showed that nosocomial S. aureus bacteremia is three times more frequent in nasal S. aureus carrier than in non-carriers, which indicates colonized patients are probably the main source of S. aureus in hospitals [7]. Another study further showed that MRSA-colonized patients are more likely to develop a MRSA invasive infection, compared with MSSAcolonized or non-colonized patients, even after adjusting for patient-specific risk factors such as comorbidities [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
