title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in infants with protein-energy malnutrition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization in infants with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and to characterize the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in isolated strains.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 123 infants with PEM, admitted to the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department of,,St. Mary" Emergency Clinical Children's Hospital Iaşi, during October 1st 2010 and August 30th 2011. Nasal, pharyngeal and conjunctival swabs were collected for detection of colonization upon admission and at discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study revealed a high rate of MRSA carriage among infants with PEM (62.60%), most of the isolated strains being multidrug-resistant (86.13%), with additional resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides and inducible resistance to clindamycin. 88% of colonized infants were nasal carriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of MRSA carriers permits the implementation of measures that decrease the risk for subsequent infection.
authors: Discipline of Infant Care, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa"- Iasi.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Florescu
authors: Discipline of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa"- Iasi.
authors: Teodora
authors: T
authors: Vremeră
authors: Discipline of Infant Care, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa"- Iasi.
authors: Genoveva
authors: G
authors: Bălănică
authors: Discipline of Primary Health Care and Epidemiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa"- Iasi.
authors: Mioara Calipsona
authors: MC
authors: Matei
authors: Discipline of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa"- Iasi.
authors: Luminiţa Smaranda
authors: LS
authors: Iancu
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009666:Nose / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission