Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in a pediatric burn unit

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Burn Care

Background:

• A specific endemic strain of Staphylococcus aureus (phage type 84/85) was prevalent in a pediatric burn unit.
• This strain rapidly colonized burn wounds and nasal passages of acute patients post-admission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the colonization patterns and antibiotic sensitivities of an endemic Staphylococcus aureus strain in a children's burn unit.
• To compare the endemic strain with non-endemic strains and strains from other burn units.

Main Methods:

• One-year observational study of Staphylococcus aureus strains in a pediatric burn unit.
• Phage typing, biochemical activity testing, and antibiotic sensitivity profiling of isolated strains.
• Comparison of endemic strains with non-endemic and international burn unit strains.

Main Results:

• The endemic Staphylococcus aureus strain (phage type 84/85) colonized burns and nares of acute patients but was not isolated on admission.
• Biochemical activities and antibiotic sensitivities varied among different Staphylococcus aureus groups.
• The endemic strain exhibited uniform resistance to gentamicin, oxacillin, cephalothin, lincomycin, and clindamycin, with low rates of methicillin resistance.

Conclusions:

• The endemic Staphylococcus aureus strain (phage type 84/85) colonized patients effectively but did not cause documented infections in the studied cohort.
• Significant biochemical and antibiotic resistance differences were observed between endemic and non-endemic Staphylococcus aureus strains.
• The study discusses the potential role of Staphylococcus aureus phage group III in burn grafting complications.