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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

Survival and transmission of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from fomites

Rishi Desai1, Pia S Pannaraj, Jaclyn Agopian

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, CA, USA. butterfinger81@gmail.com

American Journal of Infection Control
|April 5, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can spread from various surfaces for weeks, especially nonporous ones. This research quantifies CA-MRSA transmissibility from fomites, informing infection prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) transmission from fomites is crucial in outbreaks.
  • Quantifying the duration and extent of MRSA transmissibility from contaminated surfaces is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the survival and transmission of CA-MRSA from various fomites.
  • To compare the transmissibility of CA-MRSA with health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA) strains.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed transmission of CA-MRSA strain USA300-0114 from nine fomites (e.g., razors, toys, towels, vinyl) to pigskin over 10 weeks.
  • Tested transmissibility at various time points post-contamination, including 5 minutes, days 1-10, and weekly up to 10 weeks.
  • Repeated experiments with MSSA and HA-MRSA strains on select fomites.

Main Results:

  • Bacteria transmitted from all fomites except soap.
  • Transmissibility decreased over time, faster from porous than nonporous fomites.
  • CA-MRSA showed longer transmissibility than HA-MRSA and MSSA strains, with some fomites remaining transmissible for over 8 weeks.

Conclusions:

  • CA-MRSA strains remain transmissible from numerous fomites for extended periods, particularly nonporous ones.
  • HA-MRSA strains exhibited reduced transmissibility compared to CA-MRSA.
  • Findings highlight the importance of fomite contamination in CA-MRSA spread and inform infection control measures.

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