High prevalence nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among long term care facility healthcare workers in relation to patient contact.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important source of transmission of MRSA. We conducted a prospective study to define the frequency of S. aureus nasal colonization with emphasis on the carriage of MRSA in HCWs in relation to the intensity of patient contact.

Methods

Out-of-hospital care emergency medical technicians and students, and HCWs in the emergency department, intensive care unit and a long-term care facility (LTCF) were enrolled to compare the prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) nasal colonization. The MRSA isolates were further identified by their microbiological and molecular characteristics.

Findings

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SUBMITTER: Shih HI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8336196 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature