Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

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

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Risk of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in childcare employees

E D Moritz1, T C Smith

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, IA, USA. moritz.erin@gmail.com

Epidemiology and Infection
|November 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Childcare workers have a high Staphylococcus aureus carriage rate. Handwashing interventions for children may significantly reduce this risk, aiding infection control in early childhood settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus carriage is a significant risk factor for infection and transmission.
  • Childcare workers face elevated infection risks, yet research on their bacterial carriage is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in childcare employees versus unexposed individuals.
  • To identify risk factors and potential interventions for S. aureus carriage in childcare settings.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 110 childcare employees and 111 unexposed participants.
  • Prevalence of S. aureus carriage assessed in employees, unexposed adults, children, and on surfaces.
  • Multivariate analysis used to adjust for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus prevalence was 35.2% in employees, 33.6% in unexposed adults, and 19.8% in children.
  • Surface contamination showed a prevalence of 9.8%.
  • Handwashing interventions for children upon arrival at childcare facilities significantly decreased employee S. aureus carriage (OR 0.17, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Childcare employees exhibit a high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus carriage.
  • Implementing hand hygiene for children entering childcare facilities is a promising strategy to reduce S. aureus transmission and carriage among staff.

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Standard Precaution01:26

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets01:17

Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...