Value of molecular epidemiologic analysis in a nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate two molecular epidemiologic methods used in the analysis of a nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreak.


METHODS
Restriction endonuclease analysis of plasmid DNA (REAP) was used in the analysis of 45 MRSA isolates. After termination of the outbreak, isolates were retrospectively analyzed in a blind fashion using the newly described technique of arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). Molecular analyses were compared with epidemiologic and antimicrobial susceptibility data.


METHODS
Tertiary care university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients and 12 employees infected or colonized with MRSA during a 6-week period.


RESULTS
A clonal relationship demonstrated among isolates from burn unit patients and staff was clearly distinguishable from MRSA isolates arising from other hospital wards. The combination of REAP and AP-PCR provided complementary information in several instances. Aggressive measures to isolate infected patients and eradicate colonization from patients and staff terminated the outbreak.


CONCLUSIONS
Although traditional epidemiologic methods retain their central role in modern hospital infection control, molecular epidemiologic analysis can significantly enhance the ability of infection control officers to analyze and terminate hospital epidemics. The combination of AP-PCR and REAP may prove to be a particularly informative means of tracking the nosocomial spread of microbial strains and their mobile genetic elements.
Fang
F C
FC
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California-San Diego Medical Center.
McClelland
M
M
Guiney
D G
DG
Jackson
M M
MM
Hartstein
A I
AI
Morthland
V H
VH
Davis
C E
CE
McPherson
D C
DC
Welsh
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005827:Genetics, Microbial; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial