Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus sp. colonizing health care workers of a cancer hospital

Dayane de Melo Costa*, André Kipnis, Lara Stefânia Netto de Oliveira Leão-Vasconcelos, Larissa Oliveira Rocha-Vilefort, Sheila Araújo Telles, Maria Cláudia Dantas Porfírio Borges André, Anaclara Ferreira Veiga Tipple, Ana Beatriz Mori Lima, Nádia Ferreira Gonçalves Ribeiro, Mayara Regina Pereira, Marinésia Aparecida Prado-Palos

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze epidemiological and microbiological aspects of oral colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus of health care workers in a cancer hospital. Interview and saliva sampling were performed with 149 health care workers. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration. Polymerase Chain Reaction, Internal Transcribed Spacer-Polymerase Chain Reaction and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis were performed for genotypic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. Risk factors were determined by logistic regression. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus colonization prevalence was 19.5%, denture wearing (p = 0.03), habit of nail biting (p = 0.04) and preparation and administration of antimicrobial (p = 0.04) were risk factors identified. All methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus were S. epidermidis, 94.4% of them had mecA gene. Closely related and indistinguishable methicillinresistant S. epidermidis were detected. These results highlight that HCWs which have contact with patient at high risk for developing infections were identified as colonized by MRSE in the oral cavity, reinforcing this cavity as a reservoir of these bacteria and the risk to themselves and patients safety, because these microorganisms may be spread by coughing and talking.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)799-805
Number of pages7
JournalBrazilian Journal of Microbiology
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2014
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia 2014. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • Health personnel
  • Hospital
  • Methicillin resistance
  • Occupational health
  • Oncology service
  • Staphylococcus

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