Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Vertical transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at delivery and its clinical impact: An
Jumpei Ogura1, Yoshihide Inayama1, Naoko Sasamoto2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyooka Public Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
Introduction:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has a significant clinical impact on both pregnant women and neonates. The aim of this study was to assess accurately the vertical transmission rate of MRSA and its clinical impacts on both pregnant mothers and neonates.
Material And Methods:
We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 898 pregnant women who were admitted to our department and 905 neonates from August 2016 to December 2017. MRSA was cultured from nasal and vaginal samples taken from the mothers at enrollment and from nasal and umbilical surface swabs taken from neonates at the time of delivery. We examined the vertical transmission rate of MRSA in mother-neonate pairs. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for maternal MRSA colonization and maternal/neonatal adverse outcomes associated with maternal MRSA colonization.
Results:
The prevalence of maternal MRSA colonization was 6.1% (55 of 898) at enrollment. The independent risk factors were multiparity and occupation (healthcare provider) (odds ratio [OR] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-4.42 and OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.39-4.79, respectively). The prevalence of neonatal MRSA colonization at birth was 12.7% (7 of 55 mother-neonate pairs) in the maternal MRSA-positive group, whereas it was only 0.12% (one of 843 pairs) in the maternal MRSA-negative group (OR 121, 95% CI 14.6-1000). When maternal vaginal samples were MRSA-positive, vertical transmission was observed in four of nine cases (44.4%) in this study. Skin and soft tissue infections developed more frequently in neonates in the maternal MRSA-positive group than in the MRSA-negative group (OR 7.47, 95% CI 2.50-22.3).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of MRSA in pregnant women was approximately 6%. Vertical transmission caused by maternal vaginal MRSA colonization was observed in four of nine cases (44.4%). Although our study includes a limited number of maternal MRSA positive cases, the vertical transmission of MRSA may occur in up to 44% of neonates of mothers with vaginal MRSA colonization. Maternal MRSA colonization may be associated with increased development of skin and soft tissue infections in neonates via vertical transmission.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...