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Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Interplay of personal, pet, and environmental colonization in households affected by community-associated
Patrick G Hogan1, Ryan L Mork2, Mary G Boyle1
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Objective:
We sought to determine the prevalence, molecular epidemiology, and factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus environmental surface and pet colonization in households of children with community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) infection.
Methods:
Between 2012 and 2015, 150 children with CA-MRSA infections and their household contacts and pets were enrolled in this cross-sectional study in metropolitan Saint Louis, MO. Cultures to detect S. aureus were collected from 3 anatomic sites of household members, 2 dog/cat sites, and 21 environmental surfaces in each household. Molecular epidemiology of S. aureus isolates was determined via repetitive-sequence PCR. Generalized linear models were developed to identify factors associated with S. aureus/MRSA household contamination.
Results:
MRSA was recovered from environmental surfaces in 69 (46%) households (median 2 surfaces [range 1-18]). The enrollment infecting strain type was the most common strain recovered from the environment in most (64%) households. In generalized linear models, factors associated with a higher proportion of MRSA-contaminated environmental surfaces were household member MRSA colonization burden, MRSA as the dominant S. aureus strain colonizing household members, more strain types per household member, index case African-American race, and renting (vs. owning) the home. Of 132 pets, 14% were colonized with MRSA. Pets whose primary caretaker was MRSA-colonized were more likely to be MRSA-colonized than pets whose primary caretaker was not MRSA-colonized (50% vs. 4%, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Household environments and pet dogs and cats serve as reservoirs of MRSA. Household member MRSA colonization burden predicts environmental MRSA contamination. Longitudinal studies will inform the directionality of household transmission.
Insights
Household environments and pets can harbor methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Higher MRSA colonization in people predicts environmental contamination, highlighting the need for further transmission studies.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in children pose a public health concern.
- Understanding the reservoirs and transmission dynamics of CA-MRSA within households is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, on environmental surfaces and pets in households with children diagnosed with CA-MRSA infections.
- To identify factors associated with MRSA colonization and environmental contamination within these households.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 150 children with CA-MRSA infections and their households (contacts and pets) in Saint Louis, MO (2012-2015).
- S. aureus cultures were obtained from household members, pets (dogs/cats), and environmental surfaces.
- Repetitive-sequence PCR was used for molecular typing of S. aureus isolates, and generalized linear models analyzed factors associated with contamination.
Main Results:
- MRSA was detected on environmental surfaces in 46% of households, with the infecting strain often present.
- Factors associated with increased environmental MRSA contamination included higher household member colonization burden, MRSA dominance, greater strain diversity per member, index case race, and renting status.
- MRSA colonized 14% of pets, and pets were significantly more likely to be colonized if their primary caretaker was also colonized (50% vs. 4%).
Conclusions:
- Household environments and pets act as significant reservoirs for MRSA.
- The burden of MRSA colonization among household members is a key predictor of environmental MRSA contamination.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to elucidate the directionality of MRSA transmission within households.
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