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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Contaminated clothing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers is a potential source of
Anubhav Kanwar1, Jennifer L Cadnum2, Manish Thakur2
1Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
Abstract:
We examined the burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on the clothing of MRSA carriers in a hospital and long-term care facility and assessed the potential for clothing to be a source of transmission. Of 50 MRSA carriers studied, 37 (74%) had MRSA recovered from clothing. For a subset of carriers with clothing contamination, transfer of MRSA from clothing to gloved hands and to a wheelchair occurred in 8 of 13 (62%) and 5 of 10 (50%) carriers, respectively. These findings suggest that measures to reduce clothing contamination should be investigated as a potential means to reduce MRSA transmission in healthcare settings.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) frequently contaminates healthcare workers' clothing, posing a transmission risk. Reducing clothing contamination may help limit MRSA spread in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in healthcare settings.
- Understanding transmission routes is crucial for effective infection control.
- Clothing is a potential, yet understudied, reservoir for MRSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify MRSA burden on clothing of carriers in healthcare facilities.
- To assess the potential for clothing to act as a vehicle for MRSA transmission.
Main Methods:
- Studied 50 MRSA carriers in hospital and long-term care settings.
- Collected clothing samples to detect MRSA.
- Assessed MRSA transfer from contaminated clothing to gloved hands and wheelchairs.
Main Results:
- MRSA was recovered from clothing in 74% of carriers studied.
- MRSA transferred from contaminated clothing to gloved hands in 62% of tested carriers.
- MRSA transferred from contaminated clothing to wheelchairs in 50% of tested carriers.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare worker clothing frequently harbors MRSA.
- Clothing contamination represents a viable pathway for MRSA transmission.
- Interventions targeting clothing decontamination warrant investigation to reduce MRSA spread.
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