Study on the relationship between colonization pressure and MRSA cross transmission among hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective Based on active monitoring MRSA carriage for hospitalized patients, the relationship between colonization pressure and MRSA cross transmission in wards without rigorous contactisolation measures was analyzed, and the role of colonization pressure in predicting MRSA cross transmission was further evaluated. Methods From March to December 2009, active MRSA colonization screening was performed for 240 hospitalized patients in emergency ward and 94 cases in RICU in our hospital. rep-PCR method was employed to do homology analysis on MRSA strains obtained in this study. MRSA weekly colonization pressure, threshold colonization pressure ,cross transmission rate were calculated respectively. RR of MRSA cross transmission under higher level of colonization pressure and lower level of colonization pressure was analyzed. Results MRSA carriage rates on admission for patients in emergency wards and RICU were 6. 25% (15/2A0) and 13. 83 % (13/94) ,and MRSA cross transmission occurred in 13 weeks and 14 weeks in above two units, respectively. Threshold colonization pressures for above two units were 6. 49%and 17. 66%, respectively. For emergency ward, the MRSA cross transmission rate under higher level of colonization pressure was significantly higher than that under lower level of colonization pressure (x2 = 7. 10,P＜0. 01), the RR of MRSA transmission was 9. 61 (95% CI:1. 25-74.00). For RICU, the MRSA cross transmission rate under higher level of colonization pressure was significantly higher than that under lower level of colonization pressure(x2 = 12. 60, P＜0. 01 ), the RR of MRSA transmission was 15.87 (95% CI:2. 06-122. 10). Conclusions Higher level of colonization pressure is an important risk factor for MRSA transmission, and average colonization pressure can be used as a prediction index for MRSA transmission and strengthening prevention and control measures. Key words: Methicillin resistance; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcal infections; Cross infection