title: Utility of a single nasal polymerase chain reaction assay in predicting absence of skin and environmental contamination in hospitalized patients with past methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: We evaluated hospitalized patients with a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for persistent colonization and need for contact precautions. Up to 3 daily cultures of nares, skin, and any present wounds were compared with a single nasal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Most patients (76.2%) were no longer colonized with MRSA. A single PCR assay was sufficient to exclude persistent colonization and environmental contamination and remove the contact precautions.
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND; University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND.
authors.forename: Dubert M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND; University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND; University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hanish
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: Sanford Health, Fargo, ND; University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND; Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Electronic address: paul.carson@sanfordhealth.org.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; colonization; contact precautions; hospital; polymerase chain reaction