Carriage of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusAmong Hospital Employees: Prevalence, Duration, and Transmission to Households

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Eveillard ◽  
Yolaine Martin ◽  
Nadia Hidri ◽  
Yves Boussougant ◽  
Marie-Laure Joly-Guillou

AbstractObjective:To assess the prevalence and duration of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) carriage among hospital employees and transmission to their households.Design:A point-prevalence survey of MRSA carriage (nasal swabbing) of staff and patients throughout the hospital; a prevalence survey of MRSA carriage in 2 medical wards, with carriers observed to estimate carriage duration; and evaluation of transmission to MRSA-positive workers' families. All MRSA isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. During the study, no MRSA outbreak was detected among hospitalized patients.Setting:A 600-bed, public tertiary-care teaching hospital near Paris.Results:Sixty MRSA carriers were identified among 965 healthcare providers (prevalence, 6.2%; CL,, 4.7%-7.7%). Prevalence was higher in staff from clinical wards than from elsewhere (9.0% vs 2.1%;P< .0001). Identity of isolates from employees and patients varied from 25% in medical wards to 100% in the long-term-care facility. MRSA carriage was identified in 14 employees from 2 medical wards (prevalence, 19.4%; CI95, 10.3%-28.5%). Prevalence depended on the length of service in these wards. Transmission to households was investigated in 10 MRSA-positive workers' families and was found in 4. All isolates from each family were identical.Conclusions:Few data are available concerning the prevalence of MRSA carriers among hospital employees in the absence of an outbreak among patients. MRSA transmission between patients and employees likely depends on the frequency and duration of exposure to MRSA-positive patients and infection control measures employed. Frequent transmission of MRSA from colonized healthcare workers to their households was documented.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitch van Hensbergen ◽  
Casper D. J. den Heijer ◽  
Petra Wolffs ◽  
Volker Hackert ◽  
Henriëtte L. G. ter Waarbeek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Dutch province of Limburg borders the German district of Heinsberg, which had a large cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to local carnival activities before any cases were reported in the Netherlands. However, Heinsberg was not included as an area reporting local or community transmission per the national case definition at the time. In early March, two residents from a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Sittard, a Dutch town located in close vicinity to the district of Heinsberg, tested positive for COVID-19. In this study we aimed to determine whether cross-border introduction of the virus took place by analysing the LTCF outbreak in Sittard, both epidemiologically and microbiologically. Methods Surveys and semi-structured oral interviews were conducted with all present LTCF residents by health care workers during regular points of care for information on new or unusual signs and symptoms of disease. Both throat and nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from residents suspect of COVID-19, based on regional criteria, for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Additionally, whole genome sequencing was performed using a SARS-CoV-2 specific amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing approach. Moreover, twelve random residents were sampled for possible asymptomatic infections. Results Out of 99 residents, 46 got tested for COVID-19. Out of the 46 tested residents, nineteen (41%) tested positive for COVID-19, including 3 asymptomatic residents. CT-values for asymptomatic residents seemed higher compared to symptomatic residents. Eleven samples were sequenced, along with three random samples from COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the regional hospital at the time of the LTCF outbreak. All samples were linked to COVID-19 cases from the cross-border region of Heinsberg, Germany. Conclusions Sequencing combined with epidemiological data was able to virtually prove cross-border transmission at the start of the Dutch COVID-19 epidemic. Our results highlight the need for cross-border collaboration and adjustment of national policy to emerging region-specific needs along borders in order to establish coordinated implementation of infection control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind J. Carter ◽  
Genevieve Sorenson ◽  
Richard Heffernan ◽  
Julia A. Kiehlbauch ◽  
John S. Kornblum ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:To characterize risk factors associated with pneumococcal disease and asymptomatic colonization during an outbreak of multidrug-resistantStreptococcus pneumoniae(MDRSP) among AIDS patients in a long-term–care facility (LTCF), evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis in eliminating MDRSP colonization, and describe the emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance in the MDRSP outbreak strain.Design:Epidemiologic investigation based on chart review and characterization of SP strains by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and PFGE and prospective MDRSP surveillance.Setting:An 80-bed AIDS-care unit in an LTCF.Participants:Staff and residents on the unit.Results:From April 1995 through January 1996, 7 cases of MDRSP occurred. A nasopharyngeal (NP) swab survey of all residents (n = 65) and staff (n = 70) detected asymptomatic colonization among 6 residents (9%), but no staff. Isolates were sensitive only to rifampin, ofloxacin, and vancomycin. A 7-day course of rifampin and ofloxacin was given to eliminate colonization among residents: NP swab surveys at 1, 4, and 10 weeks after prophylaxis identified 1 or more colonized residents at each follow-up with isolates showing resistance to one or both treatment drugs. Between 1996 and 1999, an additional 6 patients were diagnosed with fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQ-R) MDRSP infection, with PFGE results demonstrating that the outbreak strain had persisted 3 years after the initial outbreak was recognized.Conclusions:Chemoprophylaxis likely contributed to the development of a FQ-R outbreak strain that continued to be transmitted in the facility through 1999. Long-term control of future MDRSP outbreaks should rely primarily on vaccination and strict infection control measures.


1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (05) ◽  
pp. 312-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxine Armstrong-Evans ◽  
Margaret Litt ◽  
Margaret A. McArthur ◽  
Barbara Willey ◽  
Darlene Cann ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectives:To describe the investigation and control of transmission of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a residential long-term-care (LTC) setting.Outbreak Investigation:A strain of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faeciumnot previously isolated in Ontario colonized five residents of a 254-bed LTC facility in Toronto. The index case was identified when VRE was isolated from a urine culture taken after admission to a local hospital. Screening of rectal swabs from all 235 residents identified four others who were colonized with the same strain ofE faecium.Control Measures:Colonized residents were cohorted. VRE precautions were established as follows: gown and gloves for resident contact, restriction of contact between colonized and noncolonized residents, no sharing of personal equipment, and daily double-cleaning of residents' rooms and wheelchairs.Outcome:Two colonized residents died of causes unrelated to VRE. Although bacitracin therapy (75,000 units four times a day X 14 days) failed to eradicate carriage in two of three surviving residents, both cleared their carriage within 7 weeks. Repeat rectal swabs from 224 residents (91%) 2 months after isolation precautions were discontinued and from 125 residents (51%) 9 months later identified no new cases. Total cost of investigation and control was $12,061 (Canadian).Conclusion:VRE may be transmitted in LTC facilities, and colonized LTC residents could become important VRE reservoirs. Control of VRE transmission in LTC facilities can be achieved even with limited resources.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Gatti de Menezes ◽  
Vanessa Maria da Silva de Poli Correa ◽  
Fábio Gazelato de Mello Franco ◽  
Miriam Ikeda Ribeiro ◽  
Maria Fátima dos Santos Cardoso ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe a norovirus outbreak in a Brazilian long-term care facility from July 8 to 29, 2005. Methods: In the first 48 to 72 hours after onset of symptoms in inpatients and employees, the main infection control strategies were staff education, emphasis on hand washing, implementing contact precautions up to 48-72 hours after resolution of symptoms, complete cleaning of the rooms and exclusion of symptomatic employees from work until 48-72 hours after resolution of their symptoms. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the norovirus infections were described based on chart review. Results: The incidence among inpatients and employees was 41.3% and 16.25%, respectively. The main symptom was diarrhea, affecting 100% of inpatients and employees. Forty-four percent of specimens were positive by RIDASCREEN® Norovirus analyses, and identified as norovirus genogroup GII. Seventy percent of inpatients were women and their age range was 51-98 years. Inpatients had in average two comorbid conditions – 87.3% with cardiovascular or chronic pulmonary condition and 47.6% with dementia. There was not relapse or death. Conclusions: The early infection-control measures associated to surveillance are required to keep long-term care facilities free of noroviruses and to protect those who are most vulnerable.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raouf M. Afifi ◽  
Sherif Omar ◽  
Ahmed El Raggal

The aim of this work was to describe and analyze an outbreak of novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) among residents of a long-term care facility (LTCF) in Prince Mansour Military Hospital (PMMH), Taif, Saudi Arabia. These patients had been admitted to the LTCF months or years before the outbreak for several reasons, e.g. cerebral palsy, neurological deficits due to road traffic accidents with resultant handicap, chronic diseases associated with old age. An observational study was carried out to demonstrate and analyze the epidemiological characteristics (demographic factors, risk factors, and outcomes) associated with the outbreak in order to clarify which prevention and control measures had been taken and which recommendations were followed. During the period October 28 to November 11 2010, 21 LTCF residents were suspected to be clinically involved: fever ≥38ºC with influenza-like illness (ILI). Age ranged from 9-91 years (mean 46±24.13); 62% were males. Among them, 12 (57%) were influenza A (H1N1) positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Mortality involved 2 (17%) of the A (H1N1) laboratory confirmed individuals. Implementation of the recommended infection control measures mitigated the transmission of infection to new individuals. The fulfillment of strict infection control measures could limit H1N1 infection among LTCFPMMH patients. Routine influenza, including specific H1N1 immunization of all LTCF residents together with their healthcare staff, should be mandatory in those settings serving immunocompromised patients.


2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 700-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Lee ◽  
Mark Loeb ◽  
Anne Phillips ◽  
Judy Nesbitt ◽  
Karen Smith ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To describe the use of zanamivir during an influenza A outbreak.Population:Residents of a 176-bed long-term-care facility for the elderly in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 90% of whom received influenza vaccine in the fall of 1998.Outbreak:When respiratory illness due to influenza A was confirmed, infection control measures and amantadine prophylaxis were initiated. Despite these measures, transmission of influenza A continued.Intervention:Zanamivir inhalations, 10 mg daily for prophylaxis and 10 mg twice daily for treatment of influenza.Results:There were 13 definite and 66 probable outbreak-associated cases of influenza A. Twelve (15%) cases developed pneumonia, 7 (9%) were hospitalized, and 2 (2.6%) died. All 12 culture-positive cases yielded influenza A/Sydney/H3N2/05/97-like virus, a 1998/99 vaccine component. The three isolates obtained prior to the initiation of amantadine were amantadine-susceptible; all nine obtained after prophylaxis was instituted were amantadine-resistant. One hundred twenty-nine (92%) of 140 residents who were offered zanamivir accepted it and were able to attempt inhalations. Of these 129, 78% (100) had no difficulty in complying with inhalations. Difficulty with inhalations was associated with decreased functional and mental status. Fifteen (58%) of 26 residents fully dependent in activities of daily living had difficulty compared to 14 (14%) of 100 others (P<.001). Twenty-two (45%) of 49 residents not oriented to person, place, or time had difficulty compared to 7 (10%) of 77 others (P<001). In the 2 weeks after zanamivir prophylaxis, only 2 new cases of respiratory illness occurred, neither confirmed as influenza. No side effects were identified in 128 zanamivir-treated residents.Conclusion:A minority of nursing home residents have difficulty following instructions for zanamivir inhalations. Zanamivir was well tolerated, and its use was temporally associated with termination of an outbreak that amantadine had failed to control.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assaf Adar ◽  
Hiba Zayyad ◽  
Maya Azrad ◽  
Kozita Libai ◽  
Ilana Aharon ◽  
...  

Background: To examine the clinical, demographic, and microbiologic characteristics of new rectal carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CP-CRE) carriers vs. those with a clinical infection, hospitalized at Padeh-Poriya Medical Center between 2014 and 2017 and to examine the susceptibility profiles of isolates from clinical infections.Methods: In this retrospective, chart analysis, demographic and clinical data were collected from medical charts of 175 adult patients with either new- onset carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) carriage or clinical CPE infection. Collected data included age, ethnic group, place of residence, hospitalizations in the past 90 days, and 30-day mortality. Microbiological analyses considered bacterial genus, molecular resistance mechanism and antibiotic susceptibility.Results: A significantly higher percentage (42.4%) of CPE carriers were long-term care facility residents, and had been recently hospitalized (56.3%), as compared to patients with clinical CPE infection (29.2 and 45.9%, respectively). Additionally, we noted a high (58.3%) acquision of CPE in our hospital. The most common bacterial isolate was K. pneumoniae and the most common resistance mechanism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) carbapenemases (KPC). High susceptibility rates to amikacin and chloramphenicol were also noted.Conclusions: This study reaffirmed the importance of CPE screening and infection control measures. The observed antibiotic susceptibility profile suggests amikacin and chloramphenicol as potential treatments for CPE infection.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Fry ◽  
Chi Chi N. Udeagu ◽  
Montse Soriano-Gabarro ◽  
Scott Fridkin ◽  
Diana Musinski ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:We describe an effort to reduce transmission of a multidrug-resistantStreptococcus pneumoniae(MDRSP) in a long-term-care facility (LTCF).Design:Longitudinal cross-sectional study.Setting:An LTCF in New York City with ongoing disease due to an MDRSP strain among residents with AIDS since a 1995 outbreak. The MDRSP outbreak strain was susceptible to vancomycin but not to other antimicrobials tested, including fluoroquinolones.Participants:Residents and staff members of the LTCF during 1999 through 2001.Intervention:Implementing standard infection control measures, and developing and implementing "enhanced standard" infection control measures, modified respiratory droplet prevention measures to reduce inter-resident transmission.Results:Before the intervention, nasopharyngeal carriage of the MDRSP outbreak strain was detected in residents with AIDS and residents with tracheostomies who were not dependent on mechanical ventilation. The prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of the MDRSP outbreak strain was 7.8% among residents who had AIDS and 14.6% among residents with tracheostomies. After training sessions on standard and enhanced standard infection control measures, the staff appeared to have good knowledge and practice of the infection control measures. After the intervention, new transmission among residents with tracheostomies was prevented; however, these residents were prone to persistent tracheal carriage and needed ongoing enhanced standard infection control measures. Ongoing transmission among residents with AIDS, a socially active group, was documented, although fewer cases of disease due to the outbreak strain occurred.Conclusions:Infection control contributed to less transmission of MDRSP in the LTCF. Additional strategies are needed to reduce transmission and carriage among certain resident populations.


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