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Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Clustered cases of infections due to an uncommon methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus originating in a
G Ménard1, A Morin-Le Bihan2, H Isly3
1CHU de Rennes, service de bactériologie-hygiène hospitalière, 35033 Rennes, France; Université de Rennes 1, unité Inserm U1230, 35043 Rennes, France.
Objective:
We aimed to report a community outbreak of an uncommon methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originating in a maternity ward.
Patients And Methods:
Cases were defined by epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological investigations. Microbiological investigations included phenotypic analysis, molecular typing, and whole-genome sequencing. To control the outbreak, we applied both national recommendations to prevent in-hospital transmission and the French High Council for Public Health guidelines on the management of community-acquired MRSA infections.
Results:
Between March and July 2016, seven patients with MRSA infections were identified: six skin and soft tissue infections and one pulmonary infection, including six microbiologically confirmed infections. Infections occurred in community settings, but a link with the same maternity ward was found for all patients. All MRSA strains had a t690 spa type, were tetracycline-resistant, and produced Panton-Valentine leukocidin. All isolates belonged to the sequence type 88 (ST88).
Conclusion:
This outbreak highlights the largely underestimated risk of healthcare-associated infections in maternity wards. Healthcare workers should be aware of the importance of standard hygiene precautions and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers for neonates and mothers.
Insights
A maternity ward outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) involved seven patients. Enhanced hygiene measures, including hand sanitizers, are crucial for preventing MRSA transmission in neonatal and maternal care.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen.
- Community outbreaks of MRSA are uncommon, particularly in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a community outbreak of an uncommon MRSA strain originating in a maternity ward.
- To identify the characteristics and source of the MRSA outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological investigations were conducted.
- Molecular typing and whole-genome sequencing were used for strain characterization.
- National and French public health guidelines were applied for outbreak control.
Main Results:
- Seven patients developed MRSA infections between March and July 2016.
- All infections were linked to a single maternity ward, despite occurring in community settings.
- The MRSA strains were identified as t690 spa type, tetracycline-resistant, Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing, and belonged to sequence type 88 (ST88).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the underestimated risk of healthcare-associated infections in maternity wards.
- Standard hygiene precautions and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are essential for neonates and mothers.
- Healthcare workers must maintain vigilance to prevent MRSA transmission.
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