Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T21:30:04.892Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Prevalence of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in a Random Sample of Healthy Individuals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jean Y. Rim  and
Alfred E. Bacon III
Jean Y. Rim
Affiliation:
Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
Alfred E. Bacon III*
Affiliation:
Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
*
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road, PO Box 6001, Newark, DE 19718 ([email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background.

Concern has recently arisen that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among populations at low risk for acquiring this pathogen has been increasing. Although previous studies have reported on the prevalence of MRSA colonization, most of these studies have been performed in healthcare settings, with few studies performed in the community among healthy individuals in nonhealthcare locations.

Objectives.

To determine the prevalence of community-acquired (CA) MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 nonhealthcare locations and to compare the genetic similarity between these CA isolates and nosocomial MRSA isolates.

Design.

Prospective, observational study conducted from October 2004 through February 2005.

Setting.

Two colleges, 1 church, and 1 restaurant in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware.

Participants.

A total of 295 healthy volunteers.

Results.

The rate of S. aureus colonization was 26.8%. Of the 79 S. aureus isolates analyzed, 3 (4%) were resistant to methicillin. Ribotyping of the 3 MRSA isolates showed that they were genetically distinct from each other. Each of the 3 CA isolates were genetically indistinguishable from 3 different nondominant clusters of MRSA isolates found in the medical and surgical intensive care units of Christiana Care Health System (Newark) and Wilmington Hospital (Wilmington).

Conclusion.

The overall prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 nonhealthcare locations in Newark and Wilmington was 1.0%. Despite concerns that the prevalence of MRSA colonization is increasing, it still remains relatively low in our community, perhaps because CA-MRSA colonization tends to occur in clusters.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 28 , Issue 9 , September 2007 , pp. 1044 - 1046
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) System. NNIS System report, data from January 1990-May 1999. Am J Infect Control 1999;27:520–532.Google Scholar
2. Gorak, E, Yamada, S, Brown, J. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized adults and children without known risk factors. Clin Infect Dis 1999;29:797–800.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Kallen, AJ, Driscoll, TJ, Thorton, S, Olson, PE, Wallace, MR. Increase in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a Naval Medical Center. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:223–226.Google Scholar
4. Salgado, CD, Farr, BM, Calfee, DP. Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a meta-analysis of prevalence and risk factors. Clin Infect Dis 2003;36:131–139.Google Scholar
5. Charlebois, ED, Bangsberg, DR, Moss, NJ, et al. Population-based community prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the urban poor of San Francisco. Clin Infect Dis 2002;34:425–433.Google Scholar
6. Eicher, KL, Hiatt, D, Johnson, D, Kaplan, E. The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a relatively isolated, semi-closed rural population: comparing clonality among isolates from normal school children, hospital personnel, and hospital laboratory isolates. Paper presented at: 38th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America; September 7-10, 2000; Alexandria, VA. Abstract 501.Google Scholar
7. Sa-Leao, R, Sanches, IS, Couto, I, Alves, R de Lencastre, H. Low prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains among Staphylococcus aureus colonizing young and healthy members of the community in Portugal. Microb Drug Resist 2001;7:237–245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Sumrall, B, Nolan, R. Retrospective study of “community-acquired” (CA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) occurring during and epidemic of MRSA at a Veteran Affairs hospital [abstract 78]. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1996;17(suppl):28.Google Scholar
9. Warshawsky, B, Hussain, Z, Gregson, DB, et al. Hospital- and community-based surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: previous hospitalization is the major risk factor. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:724–727.Google Scholar
10. Berman, DS, Schaefler, S, Simberkoff, MS, Rahal, JJ. Staphylococcus aureus colonization in intravenous drug abusers, dialysis patients and diabetics. J Infect Dis 1987;155:829–831.Google Scholar