title: Optimal surveillance culture sites for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in newborns.
abstract: We describe two outbreaks among newborns, one caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the other by hospital-associated MRSA. The umbilicus, rectum, and nares were tested for colonization. We found that no single body site had optimal sensitivity when tested alone. The combination of umbilical and nasal swabs achieved a sensitivity of >90%.
authors.affiliation: North York General Hospital, Infection Prevention and Control, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, M2K 1E1 Canada. arosenth@nygh.on.ca
authors.forename: Alana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Churilla
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brodie
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000382:microbiology