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Enteral feeding tubes are a reservoir for nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens

John R Mehall1, Cheryl A Kite, Craig H Gilliam

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|June 22, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Enteral feeding tubes can harbor antibiotic-resistant pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study found MRSA in feeding tubes, suggesting they act as reservoirs for transmitting infections to vulnerable infants in neonatal intensive care units.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Neonatal Care

Background:

  • Patients and healthcare environments are recognized reservoirs for nosocomial pathogens.
  • Enteral feeding tubes and formula are typically not considered reservoirs for nosocomial organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether enteral feeding tubes serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant pathogens in a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • To compare microbial isolates from feeding tubes with those from clinical infections.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study was conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolates from clinical infections and enteral feeding tubes were compared.
  • DNA fingerprinting was used to determine the genetic relatedness of MRSA/VRE isolates from infections and feeding tubes.

Main Results:

  • Of 23 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 12 were methicillin-resistant (MRSA).
  • Four MRSA infections occurred in patients without feeding tubes.
  • DNA fingerprinting confirmed that MRSA strains from clinical infections were also present in the feeding tubes of other infants.
  • No vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections were identified during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Enteral feeding tubes can act as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
  • These pathogens, such as MRSA, can be transmitted to other infants through feeding tubes, posing a risk in neonatal intensive care units.

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