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. 2013 Sep;141(9):1983-92.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268812002476. Epub 2012 Nov 29.

Changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in paediatric intensive-care units

C R Hermos  1 , T J Sandora, L E Williams, N Mosammaparast, A J McAdam
Affiliations

Changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in paediatric intensive-care units

C R Hermos et al. Epidemiol Infect. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

Community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) accounts for a growing proportion of hospital-onset infections, and colonization is a risk factor. This study aimed to determine changes in the prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization in paediatric intensive-care units (ICUs). A total of 495 paediatric patients colonized with MRSA from neonatal, medical, surgical, and cardiac ICUs between 2001 and 2009 were identified. Isolates were characterized by spa type, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec type and the presence of the genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL). The proportion of patients colonized with MRSA remained stable (average 3·2%). The proportion of isolates with spa type 1, SCCmec type IV and PVL increased over time to maximums in 2009 of 36·1% (P < 0·001), 54·2% (P = 0·03) and 28·9% (P = 0·003), respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns showed increasing proportions susceptible to clindamycin, gentamicin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P values <0·001). In conclusion, the proportion of MRSA-colonized children in ICUs with CA-MRSA increased significantly over time.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Annual number and proportion of intensive-care unit patients colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus between 2001 and 2009.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from colonized children in intensive-care units between 2001 and 2009 carrying SCCmec types II and IV.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from colonized children in intensive-care units between 2001 and 2009 carrying genes that encode Panton–Valentine leukocidin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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