Enteral feeding tubes are a reservoir for nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
BACKGROUND
Patients and their surroundings are known reservoirs for nosocomial pathogens. Enteral feeding tubes and formula are not thought of as reservoirs for nosocomial organisms.


METHODS
A prospective observation study was conducted comparing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) cultured from nosocomial infections and MRSA/VRE cultured from enteral feeding tubes used in the same neonatal intensive care unit during the same time period but in different babies. DNA fingerprinting then was used to compare MRSA and VRE cultured from feeding tubes with MRSA/VRE isolates cultured from clinical infections.


RESULTS
There were 23 S aureus isolates; 12 of 23 were methicillin resistant (MRSA). There were 4 MRSA infections in patients without feeding tubes. DNA fingerprinting showed that the MRSA species causing each of the clinical infections also was found in the feeding tubes of other babies. There were no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infections during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Feeding tubes are a reservoir for antibioticresistant pathogens that can be transmitted to other infants.
Mehall
John R
JR
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
Kite
Cheryl A
CA
Gilliam
Craig H
CH
Jackson
Richard J
RJ
Smith
Samuel D
SD
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance