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Epidemiology of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in a Neonatology Ward

Yvonne Achermann1, Kati Seidl1, Stefan P Kuster1

  • 11Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology,University Hospital of Zurich,University of Zurich,Zurich,Switzerland.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|August 21, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hospital-acquired methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) clones are common in neonates, but interventions reduced infection rates. Further research is needed to determine if eradicating these clones lowers infection rates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infectious diseases
  • Hospital epidemiology
  • Molecular microbiology

Background:

  • In-hospital transmission of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) among neonates is not well understood.
  • MSSA colonization and infection pose risks to vulnerable infant populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology of MSSA colonization and infection in a neonatal ward.
  • To investigate the transmission dynamics of MSSA in a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

  • A multimodal outbreak investigation was conducted in a 30-bed neonatal ward.
  • Methods included prospective surveillance, microbiologic screening, environmental sampling, and a cohort study.
  • MSSA isolates were characterized using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

Main Results:

  • In 2012-2013, MSSA infections occurred in 4.1% and 2.0% of neonates, respectively.
  • Overall, 44% of screened neonates carried MSSA, with a predominant PFGE-1-ST30 clone identified in both infected and colonized infants.
  • MSSA carriage was associated with central vascular catheter use; healthcare worker behavior was implicated in transmission.

Conclusions:

  • Hospital-acquired MSSA clones contribute significantly to neonatal colonization.
  • Interventions led to decreased transmission infection rates, despite continued colonization.
  • The impact of eradicating hospital-acquired MSSA strains on future infection rates requires further investigation.

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