Neonatal Staphylococcus aureus acquisition at a tertiary intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Microbiology
• Neonatal Care

Background:

• Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) poses a risk to neonates in intensive care settings.
• Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for preventing neonatal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the transmission of MSSA to neonates.
• To identify the prevalence and genetic relatedness of MSSA isolates in HCWs and neonates at a level IV NICU.

Main Methods:

• Collection and spa typing of MSSA isolates from HCWs and neonates over a 13-month period.
• Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of prevalent MSSA spa types to identify genetic clusters.
• Analysis of isolate data to determine transmission links between HCWs and neonates.

Main Results:

• 159 neonates and 115 HCWs were positive for MSSA.
• Twenty-three spa types were identified in both populations.
• Four WGS clusters revealed genetically identical MSSA strains shared between 4 HCWs and 35 neonates.
• Ten neonates in these clusters developed MSSA bacteremia.

Conclusions:

• HCWs can act as a reservoir for MSSA, facilitating transmission to neonates.
• Identical MSSA strains found in HCWs were linked to neonatal bacteremia.
• Implementing infection control measures targeting HCW colonization is vital for neonatal protection.