MRSA Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about MRSA, including details on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, hospitals, infection, antibiotic resistance, superbugs.

Optimal surveillance culture sites for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in newborns.

Rosenthal A, White D, Churilla S, Brodie S, Katz KC

North York General Hospital, Infection Prevention and Control, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, M2K 1E1 Canada. arosenth@nygh.on.ca

We describe two outbreaks among newborns, one caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the other by hospital-associated MRSA. The umbilicus, rectum, and nares were tested for colonization. We found that no single body site had optimal sensitivity when tested alone. The combination of umbilical and nasal swabs achieved a sensitivity of >90%.

Published 7 November 2006 in J Clin Microbiol, 44(11): 4234-6.
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