[Hospital infection and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in a regional hospital. Value of sertyping]

Area of Science:

• Clinical microbiology
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Bacteriology

Context:

• Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of hospital-acquired infections.
• Serotyping is crucial for understanding bacterial epidemiology and infection control.
• Previous epidemiological data on S. aureus serotypes in hospital settings was limited.

Purpose:

• To systematically serotype Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from purulent material between 1972 and 1976.
• To evaluate the epidemiological incidence and antibiotic resistance patterns of different S. aureus serotypes.
• To assess the impact of infection control interventions on the prevalence of hospital-acquired S. aureus serotypes.

Summary:

• 495 S. aureus strains from 333 patients were serotyped using Pillet's method.
• Epidemiological data, including incidence and antibiotic resistance, were analyzed for each serotype.
• A new approach was implemented in operating theatres and wards, leading to changes in serotype distribution.

Impact:

• The study informed a new approach to infection control in hospitals.
• A decline in previously dominant hospital-acquired S. aureus serotypes was observed.
• Emergence of new, seemingly less virulent S. aureus serotypes was noted, suggesting successful intervention or evolving epidemiology.