title: [Inter- and intrahospital transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus].
abstract: Occurrence and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major problem worldwide. The majority of hospitals in Switzerland have not so far been affected by this epidemic. We report two out-breaks of MRSA transmission in the surgical intensive care unit at the University Hospital of Geneva and show the possible inter- and intrahospital dissemination of MRSA. Evidence for cross-infection is confirmed by epidemiological investigation and molecular typing. Infection control measures and general precautions are necessary to halt further spread of MRSA.
authors.affiliation: Unité de prévention et contrôle de I'infection, Hôpital Universitaire de Genève.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harbarth
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romand
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frei
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Auckenthaler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pittet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
vernacular_title: Transmission inter- et intrahospitalière de staphylocoques dorés résistants à la méticilline.