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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in a department of pediatrics: a cross-sectional study

Francesco Gesualdo1, Manuela Onori, Dafne Bongiorno

  • 1Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy. f.gesualdo@gmail.com.

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|January 14, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage was found in 1.15% of pediatric patients. Prior hospitalization was linked to MRSA, suggesting community and hospital strain circulation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage is a significant concern in healthcare settings.
  • Understanding MRSA colonization prevalence in pediatric populations is crucial for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of MRSA nasal carriage at admission in pediatric patients.
  • To identify risk factors associated with MRSA and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) colonization.

Main Methods:

  • Nasal swabs were collected from 785 pediatric patients upon admission.
  • Questionnaires gathered patient history, and molecular genetics analyzed MRSA isolates.
  • Statistical analyses identified factors associated with colonization.

Main Results:

  • MRSA nasal colonization prevalence was 1.15%, while MSSA prevalence was 19.75%.
  • Previous antibiotic therapy was protective against both MRSA and MSSA colonization.
  • A trend suggested hospitalization in the prior 6 months increased MRSA colonization risk.

Conclusions:

  • Most MRSA isolates appear to originate from the community.
  • Previous hospitalization in MRSA-colonized patients suggests bidirectional strain circulation between hospital and community settings.
  • Further research is needed on the role of children with frequent healthcare contact in antibiotic-resistant strain transmission.

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