Prospective, cross-sectional study on MSSA and MRSA colonisation in hospitalised children

There is a global trend for an increase in prevalence of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in children. A decade ago, MRSA colonisation was studied in Swiss paediatric hospitals and revealed an extraordinarily low proportion (<1 %). The primary goal of this study was to determine if the current proportion of nasal colonisation with MRSA in hospitalised children was still favourable. We aimed to screen all children from the age of 0-16 years admitted to the paediatric and surgical wards at the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) during 8 pre-defined surveillance weeks. After obtaining consent, a nasal swab was taken and analysed for growth of S. aureus. Furthermore, a standardised questionnaire was completed by interview with a parent. Of 535 eligible children, 340 (64 %) were enrolled. Mean age was 6.2 years (median 4.3, IQR 1 to 11.25), 111 (33 %) children were colonised with S. aureus but no MRSA was found.

The prevalence of MRSA in children admitted to the UKBB during this surveillance period was zero. General MRSA screening in hospitalised children continues to be unjustified in our area.

• The prevalence of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in children is increasing in many regions worldwide. • Surveillance for MRSA colonisation in healthcare settings varies considerably.

• Periodic and risk-factor-based surveillance for MRSA colonisation is sufficient when regional prevalence is low.