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Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from surfaces and personnel at a hospital laundry facility
Author(s) -
Michael K.E.,
No D.,
Roberts M.C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13202
Subject(s) - laundry , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , cross infection , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , micrococcaceae , meticillin , medicine , biology , bacteria , antibiotics , emergency medicine , antibacterial agent , waste management , engineering , genetics
Aim Examine a clinical laundry facility for the presence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) on environmental surfaces and among personnel. Methods Nasal and face samples along with surface samples were collected four times in 2015. MRSA isolates were confirmed using standardized biochemical assays and molecular characterization. Results MRSA was identified in 33/120 (28%) samples from the dirty and 3/120 (3%) samples from the clean environmental areas. MRSA isolates included: (dirty) ST 5 SCC mec type II , ST 8 SCC mec type IV , ST 231 SCC mec type II , ST 239 SCC mec type III , ST 239 SCC mec type IV , ST 256 SCC mec type IV and (clean) ST 5 SCC mec type II and ST 8 SCC mec type IV . Five different employees were MRSA positive, 4/8 (50%) from the dirty: and 1/15 (6·7%) from the clean, but there was a 10‐fold higher MRSA carriage 6/22 (27%) dirty vs 1/38 (2·6%) clean when all 50 human samples were combined. Conclusion MRSA prevalence was significantly higher (28 vs 3%) in dirty vs clean areas within the laundry facility suggesting a greater risk for personnel on the dirty side. Significance and Impact of the Study This is the first report of isolation and characterization of MRSA from surfaces and personnel from a clinical laundry facility.