Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Transmission and Hospital-Acquired Bacteremia in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Greece

Abstract

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization and infections in a 30-bed, level III university-affiliated neonatal intensive care unit was retrospectively investigated (2014-2018). Virulence, resistance genes and clonality of 46 isolates were determined by PCRs and MLST. Of 1538 neonates, 77 (5%) had a positive culture for MRSA; four bacteremias occured. One major clone was identified, ST225 (23/40, 58%), imported from the same maternity hospital. Another clone, ST217, was predominant (4/6) among colonized health care workers. Four isolates classified as ST80 were PVL-positive, four tst-positive, and two etb-positive. Strengthening of infection control measures with emphasis on hand hygiene was applied.