Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among Healthcare Workers
Summary
Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers (HCWs) represents a critical reservoir for nosocomial transmission and a persistent challenge for infection control. Colonisation of the anterior nares by MRSA may persist asymptomatically, yet facilitate spread to vulnerable patients via direct contact or contaminated fomites. Prevalence estimates vary widely by region, professional group and care setting, with nursing staff often exhibiting higher carriage rates. Key risk factors include prior history of MRSA colonisation, intensive patient contact, antibiotic exposure and breaches in hand hygiene. Molecular studies reveal substantial genetic diversity among carriage strains, reflecting both endemic transmission and repeated introductions. Effective management strategies encompass targeted screening, decolonisation protocols, reinforcement of hand hygiene and environmental disinfection. Understanding the dynamics of MRSA carriage in HCWs is vital to curtail hospital-acquired infections, inform antimicrobial stewardship and guide policy development on a global scale.
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Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among Healthcare Workers publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MRSA: A strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin and related beta-lactam antibiotics, typically mediated by the mecA gene.
mecA gene: The genetic determinant encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which reduces affinity for beta-lactams and confers methicillin resistance.
Whole-genome sequencing: The comprehensive determination of an organism’s DNA sequence, enabling high-resolution tracking of transmission events and genetic diversity.
Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec): A mobile genetic element that carries mecA and can integrate into the S. aureus chromosome, facilitating horizontal transfer of resistance.
Colonisation: The asymptomatic presence of microorganisms on or within a host, providing a potential source for subsequent infection or transmission.
References
- MRSA carriage among healthcare workers in non-outbreak settings in Europe and the United States: a systematic review. BMC Infectious Diseases (2014).
- Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus between health-care workers, the environment, and patients in an intensive care unit: a longitudinal cohort study based on whole-genome sequencing. The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2016).
- Antibiotic Resistance of Commensal Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in an International Cohort of Surgeons: A Prospective Point-Prevalence Study. PLOS ONE (2016).
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