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Methicillin-resistant and borderline methicillin-resistant asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus colonization in
A H Suggs1, M C Maranan, S Boyle-Vavra
1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago Children's Hospital, IL, USA.
Background:
The recent evolution in the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in children, whereby children without traditional risk factors for MRSA have been hospitalized in increasing numbers, prompted us to establish whether a parallel increase in "asymptomatic" MRSA colonization had occurred.
Methods:
We cultured the nares and perineum of 500 children attending our Pediatric Emergency Department.
Results:
One hundred thirty-two (26.4%) of these children were colonized with S. aureus. Eleven (8.3%) of the S. aureus isolates were MRSA; 4 (36.4%) of the 11 subjects colonized with MRSA had no risk factors. Seven (5.3%) of the 132 S. aureus isolates were borderline methicillin-resistant S. aureus (BRSA); 5 (71.4%) of the 7 subjects colonized with BRSA had no MRSA risk factors.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that MRSA and BRSA isolates are circulating in the community and that MRSA isolates are no longer confined to children with frequent contact with a health care environment.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly found in children without typical risk factors. This study found MRSA and borderline MRSA (BRSA) circulating in the community, not just in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Rising hospitalizations for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in children lacking traditional risk factors.
- Need to investigate potential increase in asymptomatic MRSA colonization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if asymptomatic MRSA colonization has increased in the pediatric population.
- To assess the prevalence of MRSA and borderline MRSA (BRSA) in children.
Main Methods:
- Nasal and perineal cultures performed on 500 children.
- Children attended a Pediatric Emergency Department.
Main Results:
- 26.4% of children were colonized with Staphylococcus aureus.
- 8.3% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were MRSA; 36.4% of these lacked risk factors.
- 5.3% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were BRSA; 71.4% of these lacked MRSA risk factors.
Conclusions:
- MRSA and BRSA are prevalent in the community.
- MRSA colonization is no longer limited to children with healthcare exposure.