Infection of Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus Nasal Carriage in the Community Pediatric Population

Park, Jiyoung; Kim, Soonduck; Lee, Jesuk

Abstract

PURPOSE: Methcillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is known as a major cause of hospital acquired infection. The infection with MRSA bacteria is becoming frequent in the community because there are many people who have risk factors with low immunity. This study is intended to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in children and determine risk factors using genetic analysis.
METHODS
Children aged between 3 and 7 years were recruited from six preschool institutions from Nov. 2004 to Feb. 2005 based in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Gyeongsang Province. A questionnaires was distributed to 1,000 parent of these children along with the letter of consent. A total of 242 questionnaires were collected and used for this study. Nasal secretion samples were collected using sterilized specimen containers and incubated in culture medium using mannitol salt agar to separate S. aureus. MRSA samples were identified through coagulase test and MICRO SCAN. PCR was performed on MRSA isolates to detect genetic sequence specific of MRSA.
RESULTS
Of total 242 respondents, 16(6.6%) were found to be positive for MRSA. By residence area, 2(1.9%) out of 103 were positive in Seoul, 4(10.3%) out of 39 were positive in Gyeonggi Province and 10(10.0%) out of 100 were positive in Gyeongsang Province, showing a significant difference(p=0.037). A logistics regression was performed to evaluate the influences of variables that were significant. Gyeongsang Province had prevalence of MRSA(OR=5.520), and Gyeonggi Province(OR=5.710). Based on PCR, the distribution of genotypes of MRSA showed various patterns. But there was no difference between regions.
CONCLUSIONS
MRSA infection was high in children when one of their parents were working in hospital or when one of their family members have underlying disease. This study provided evidence that the prevalence of MRSA is largely influenced by individual element such as family and health condition.