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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Nosocomial spread of a Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus strain causing sepsis in a neonatal intensive

Fernando Chaves1, Mónica García-Alvarez, Francisca Sanz

  • 1Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. fchaves.hdoc@salud.madrid.org

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) is a significant nosocomial pathogen, particularly in neonates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis confirmed a consistent strain among infant infections, highlighting its role in late-onset sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neonatal Care

Background:

  • Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) is a coagulase-negative staphylococcal species.
  • Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat, especially to vulnerable neonatal populations.
  • Understanding the epidemiology of specific pathogens is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) infections in a clinical setting.
  • To determine the role of SHN as a nosocomial pathogen, particularly in neonates.
  • To analyze the genetic relatedness of SHN isolates from infected patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of bacterial isolates recovered between 2002 and 2003.
  • Identification and characterization of Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) isolates.
  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess the genetic similarity of SHN isolates from neonates.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-two SHN isolates were recovered from 21 patients over a one-year period.
  • Eighteen of the 21 patients were neonates, with 13 experiencing late-onset SHN sepsis.
  • All SHN isolates recovered from neonates exhibited an indistinguishable PFGE pattern, suggesting clonal spread.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcus hominis subsp. novobiosepticus (SHN) is identified as a significant nosocomial pathogen in neonatal intensive care units.
  • The genetic uniformity of SHN isolates in neonates indicates a potential outbreak or successful transmission.
  • Further surveillance and infection control measures are warranted to manage SHN in neonatal populations.

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