Risk factors for intensive care unit acquired nasal colonization of MRSA and its impact on MRSA infection

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
• Understanding MRSA colonization and infection dynamics in intensive care units (ICUs) is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for MRSA colonization in Turkish ICUs.
• To assess the impact of MRSA colonization on infection rates and hospitalization duration.
• To inform the necessity of MRSA surveillance programs in ICUs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving patients hospitalized in medical and neurosurgical ICUs for over 24 hours.
• Anterior nares swabs collected within 48 hours of admission and weekly thereafter to detect MRSA colonization.
• Analysis of risk factors, infection rates, and ICU length of stay for colonized versus non-colonized patients.

Main Results:

• MRSA colonization was identified in 23 out of 280 patients (8.2%).
• Patients with MRSA colonization had a significantly longer ICU stay (18 days vs. 8 days, P < 0.001).
• Gastrostomy and femoral catheter presence were significant risk factors for MRSA colonization (P < 0.009).
• MRSA infection rates were higher in colonized patients (8.6%) compared to non-colonized patients (1.1%).

Conclusions:

• Gastrostomy, femoral catheter use, and prolonged ICU stay are associated with increased risk of ICU-acquired MRSA colonization.
• MRSA nares colonization significantly elevates the risk of both MRSA infection and extended ICU hospitalization.
• Findings support the implementation of MRSA surveillance programs in Turkish ICUs.