Prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals.
BACKGROUND
Concern has recently arisen that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among populations at low risk for acquiring this pathogen has been increasing. Although previous studies have reported on the prevalence of MRSA colonization, most of these studies have been performed in healthcare settings, with few studies performed in the community among healthy individuals in non-healthcare locations.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of community-acquired (CA) MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 non-healthcare locations and to compare the genetic similarity between these CA isolates and nosocomial MRSA isolates.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study conducted from October 2004 through February 2005.


METHODS
Two colleges, 1 church, and 1 restaurant in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware.


METHODS
A total of 295 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
The rate of S. aureus colonization was 26.8%. Of the 79 S. aureus isolates analyzed, 3 (4%) were resistant to methicillin. Ribotyping of the 3 MRSA isolates showed that they were genetically distinct from each other. Each of the 3 CA isolates were genetically indistinguishable from 3 different nondominant clusters of MRSA isolates found in the medical and surgical intensive care units of Christiana Care Health System (Newark) and Wilmington Hospital (Wilmington).


CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 non-healthcare locations in Newark and Wilmington was 1.0%. Despite concerns that the prevalence of MRSA colonization is increasing, it still remains relatively low in our community, perhaps because CA-MRSA colonization tends to occur in clusters.
Rim
Jean Y
JY
Christiana Care Health System, Newark, DE, USA.
Bacon
Alfred E
AE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D003691:Delaware / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*