Microbiologic surveillance using nasal cultures alone is sufficient for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in neonates.
During an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the neonatal intensive care units at two hospitals, we assessed several sites for detection of MRSA colonization. Nasal cultures found 32 of 33 MRSA-colonized patients (97%). Rectal cultures detected 29% of 24 MRSA-colonized patients identified by paired rectal and nasal samples and axillary samples found 22% of 9 MRSA-colonized patients identified by axillary samples paired with nasal swabs. There were no positive umbilical samples.
Singh
Kamaljit
K
Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Gavin
Patrick J
PJ
Vescio
Thomas
T
Thomson Jr
Richard B
RB
Deddish
Ruth B
RB
Fisher
Adrienne
A
Noskin
Gary A
GA
Peterson
Lance R
LR
D003470:Culture Media; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D003470:Culture Media