Open AccessMethicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in health‐care workers with cystic fibrosis in Sydney
Author(s) -
Song Yang,
Keatley Lucy Rebecca,
Middleton Peter Gordon
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.378
Subject(s) - medicine , staphylococcus aureus , cystic fibrosis , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , health care , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biology , genetics , economic growth , economics
Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common lethal inherited disorder in Australia, is associated with increased respiratory tract colonization/infection. Given that many adults with CF work as health‐care workers (HCW), which has been associated with an increased risk of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization/infection, we examined these risks in 252 adults with CF at our centre between 2001–2015. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including pathogens, were compared for HCW and non‐HCW groups. MRSA colonization/infection was found in 20 subjects, comprising 2/19 HCW, and 18/233 non‐HCW ( p = 0.66). Sixteen of these 20 subjects undertook eradication therapy, with success in 2/2 HCW and 5/14 non‐HCW. This study showed that the rate of MRSA colonization/infection did not differ between adults with CF who work in the health‐care setting versus other areas. This suggests that choosing a health‐care profession does not necessarily result in an increased risk of MRSA colonization/infection for an adult with CF.