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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus on Children's
Dipendra Thapaliya1, Jhalka Kadariya1, Mike Capuano1
1From the Kent State University, College of Public Health, Kent, OH.
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus is a major public health concern due to the emergence of virulent and drug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although numerous studies have been conducted to assess the environmental contamination of S. aureus in health care and household settings, little is known about the prevalence and epidemiology of S. aureus, including MRSA, on environmental surfaces of children's playgrounds. This study investigated the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA at playgrounds in northeast Ohio.
Methods:
A total of 280 environmental samples were collected from 10 playgrounds in northeast Ohio in July 2016. Sampling sites were selected based on playground size and availability of equipment located in both small and large cities and their suburbs. Samples were analyzed using established microbiology methods, and resulting S. aureus isolates were typed by spa typing. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin and mec A genes. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested via the Vitek-2 System.
Results:
The overall prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA was 31.8% (89/280) and 3.9% (11/280), respectively. A total of 43 spa types were detected from 257 S. aureus isolates. Overall, t189 was the most common spa type, accounting for 15.6% (40/257) of the isolates. Sixteen isolates (6.2%) were t002 (ST5/USA100), a common hospital-associated strain, and 11 isolates (4.3%) were t008 (ST8/USA300), a common community-associated strain. Five livestock-associated strain (t571/ST398) were also identified. Twenty-nine (11.3%) isolates were resistant to oxacillin, and 66 (25.7%) were multi-drug resistant S. aureus.
Conclusions:
The results of this study indicate that environmental surfaces of playgrounds in northeastern Ohio were contaminated with S. aureus and MRSA. These data reinforce the need for implementing effective prevention strategies to mitigate the risk imposed to children by environmental contamination of MRSA.
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were found on playground surfaces in Ohio, posing a public health risk. This highlights the need for strategies to prevent children
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health microbiology
- Molecular epidemiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is a significant public health concern.
- Limited data exists on S. aureus and MRSA prevalence on children's playground environmental surfaces.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding S. aureus and MRSA epidemiology in playground settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA on environmental surfaces in children's playgrounds.
- To determine the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA isolates from these environments.
- To assess antibiotic resistance patterns among S. aureus isolates found in playgrounds.
Main Methods:
- Collected 280 environmental samples from 10 playgrounds in northeast Ohio.
- Utilized microbiology methods for S. aureus isolation and spa typing for molecular characterization.
- Employed PCR for virulence gene detection (Panton-Valentine leukocidin, mec A) and Vitek-2 for antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- S. aureus and MRSA prevalence rates were 31.8% and 3.9%, respectively.
- Identified 43 spa types, with t189 being most common; notable strains included hospital-associated (t002), community-associated (t008), and livestock-associated (t571).
- Observed oxacillin resistance in 11.3% and multi-drug resistance in 25.7% of S. aureus isolates.
Conclusions:
- Playground environmental surfaces in northeast Ohio are contaminated with S. aureus and MRSA.
- Findings underscore the potential risk to children from environmental MRSA exposure.
- Emphasizes the necessity for developing and implementing effective prevention strategies.
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