Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 10, 2011
Molecular epidemiologic study of burn wound infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus in children
Abstract:
115 children with burn injuries were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Of the 1554 samples, 276 strains of staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the burn wounds and other sites. The rate of burn wound infection caused by S. aureus was 25.2% (29/115). The 54 epidemic strains of S. aureus all carried 1.6 and 1.9 Md plasmid DNAs belonging to phage type 618, and were resistant to at least 10 antimicrobial agents, including oxacillin, cephalothin and cephaloridine, but sensitive to tobramycin and amikacin. Identical plasmid profiles and phage types of isolated S. aureus indicated that a patient carrying a multi-resistant strain of S. aureus in his anterior nares caused an epidemic of S. aureus wound infection in 13 patients. S. aureus isolated from burn wounds of 8 cases were derived from the contaminated hands of their family members.
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus burn wound infections affected 25.2% of pediatric patients. Multi-resistant strains, identified by plasmid DNA and phage type, spread through patient-to-patient contact and contaminated family member hands.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Burn Care
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in vulnerable populations like burn patients.
- Understanding the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of S. aureus in pediatric burn units is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus infections in pediatric burn patients.
- To identify the sources and transmission routes of S. aureus causing burn wound infections in a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient data and microbial isolates from burn wounds and other sites.
- Isolation and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus strains, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Plasmid profiling and phage typing to determine strain relatedness and identify epidemic clones.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 276 of 1554 samples, with a burn wound infection rate of 25.2% (29/115 children).
- Epidemic S. aureus strains (phage type 618) carried specific plasmid DNAs (1.6 and 1.9 Mdal) and exhibited multi-resistance to antimicrobials, including oxacillin, cephalothin, and cephaloridine, but remained sensitive to tobramycin and amikacin.
- Identical plasmid profiles and phage types linked an outbreak to a patient with a nasal S. aureus carrier state, infecting 13 other patients. Additionally, 8 cases were linked to contaminated hands of family members.
Conclusions:
- Multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains pose a significant threat in pediatric burn units, necessitating stringent infection control measures.
- Nasal carriage and contaminated hands are important reservoirs and transmission routes for S. aureus in this setting.
- Effective infection control strategies must address both healthcare-associated transmission and community-acquired reservoirs.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance