This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
Research article
Chia-Yu Chi
National Health Research Institutes
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4481-3102
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission of MRSA. We conducted a prospective study to define the frequency of MRSA nasal colonization in HCWs in relation to the intensity of patient contact.
Methods: Prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) nasal colonization in HCWs was compared. These included an emergency department, intensive care unit, out-of-hospital care emergency medical technicians and students, and a long-term care facility (LTCF). The MRSA isolates were further identified by their microbiological and molecular characteristics.
Results: S. aureus was isolated from 63 of 248 HCWs (25.4%). The overall MRSA nasal carriage rate was 15/248, 6%. Most MRSA carriers were female (14/15, 93.3%), and HCWs who had worked for ≥5 years (11/15, 73.3%). LTCFs had the highest prevalence (3/25, 12%). In contrast, the overall carriage of MSSA was 48/248, 19.4%, and most carriers worked for ≥5 years (25/48, 52.1%). Hospital nurses had the highest rate of MSSA carriage (22/103, 21.4%). Most of the MRSA isolates were SCCmec IV/ST59 or ST45 (60%), and were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin (53%). Only one MRSA was chlorhexidine resistant. All produced low level of biofilms.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates important differences in the characteristics of nasal carriage of MRSA and MSSA among HCWs. Inclusion of all strains of S. aureus in surveillance and infection control programs is warranted.
Keywords
MRSA, long term care facilities, healthcare worker, emergency medical technician
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Loading...
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
The most recent version of this article is available here.
No community comments so far
Version 1
Posted 15 Apr, 2019
No comments provided
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Internal Medicine Specialties
Learn more about our company.
A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Research article
Chia-Yu Chi
National Health Research Institutes
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4481-3102
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
History
CURRENT STATUS: Posted
The most recent version of this article is available here.
No community comments so far
Version 1
Posted 15 Apr, 2019
No comments provided
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Internal Medicine Specialties
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
The most recent version of this article is available here.
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission of MRSA. We conducted a prospective study to define the frequency of MRSA nasal colonization in HCWs in relation to the intensity of patient contact.
Methods: Prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) nasal colonization in HCWs was compared. These included an emergency department, intensive care unit, out-of-hospital care emergency medical technicians and students, and a long-term care facility (LTCF). The MRSA isolates were further identified by their microbiological and molecular characteristics.
Results: S. aureus was isolated from 63 of 248 HCWs (25.4%). The overall MRSA nasal carriage rate was 15/248, 6%. Most MRSA carriers were female (14/15, 93.3%), and HCWs who had worked for ≥5 years (11/15, 73.3%). LTCFs had the highest prevalence (3/25, 12%). In contrast, the overall carriage of MSSA was 48/248, 19.4%, and most carriers worked for ≥5 years (25/48, 52.1%). Hospital nurses had the highest rate of MSSA carriage (22/103, 21.4%). Most of the MRSA isolates were SCCmec IV/ST59 or ST45 (60%), and were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin (53%). Only one MRSA was chlorhexidine resistant. All produced low level of biofilms.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates important differences in the characteristics of nasal carriage of MRSA and MSSA among HCWs. Inclusion of all strains of S. aureus in surveillance and infection control programs is warranted.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
Loading...