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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Contamination of Frequently Touched Objects in Intensive Care Units:
Dharm Raj Bhatta1, Sumnima Koirala2, Abha Baral2
1Department of Microbiology, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal.
Background:
Bacterial contamination in intensive care units is an important risk factor associated with increasing incidences of nosocomial infections. This study was conducted to study the bacterial colonization on commonly touched objects of intensive care units and antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial isolates.
Methods:
This study was conducted in different intensive care units of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. A total of 235 swabs were collected from surfaces of bed rails, monitors, door handles, IV stands, telephone sets, nursing stations, medicine trolleys, sphygmomanometers, wash basin taps, dressing drums, stethoscopes, pulse oximeters, ventilators, defibrillators, and stretchers. Isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility tests of the bacteria were performed following standard microbiological techniques.
Results:
Of 235 samples, bacterial growth was observed in 152 samples. A total of 90 samples of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 235 samples. Most of the sampling sites included in this study were found contaminated with S. aureus. The highest number of S. aureus was cultured from the surface of bed rails. Of the total S. aureus isolates, 54.4% (49/90) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Vancomycin resistance was detected among 8.1% MRSA isolates (4/49). Acinetobacter species were the commonest Gram-negative bacterial isolate.
Conclusion:
Bacterial contamination of the objects/instruments of the ICU was recorded to be high. The most common contaminating bacteria were S. aureus with a high percentage of MRSA and emergence of VRSA. Periodic microbiological surveillance, detection of contaminated sites, and effective decontamination methods would minimize the colonization by potential pathogens and their transmission.
Insights
Intensive care units show high bacterial contamination on frequently touched items, with Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, being most common. Effective decontamination is crucial to prevent nosocomial infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Intensive care units (ICUs) present a high risk for nosocomial infections due to bacterial contamination.
- Frequently touched surfaces in ICUs serve as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria.
- Understanding bacterial colonization patterns is vital for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bacterial colonization on common objects within ICUs.
- To determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of isolated bacteria.
- To identify high-risk contaminated sites in the ICU environment.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 235 environmental swabs from various surfaces in ICU settings.
- Standard microbiological techniques for bacterial isolation and identification.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Bacterial growth detected in 152 out of 235 samples (64.7%).
- Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate (90/235), with 54.4% identified as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- Acinetobacter species were the most common Gram-negative isolates; Vancomycin resistance was observed in 8.1% of MRSA isolates.
Conclusions:
- ICU surfaces exhibit significant bacterial contamination, particularly with S. aureus and MRSA.
- The emergence of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a concern.
- Regular surveillance and effective decontamination strategies are essential to mitigate pathogen transmission.
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