Nadine Lerche , Silva Holtfreter , Birgit Walther , Torsten Semmler , Fawaz Al’Sholui , Stephanie J. Dancer , Georg Daeschlein , Nils-Olaf Hübner , Barbara M. Bröker , Roald Papke , Thomas Kohlmann , Romy Baguhl , Ulrike Seifert , Axel Kramer
{"title":"Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among dental health care workers in Northern Germany (StaphDent study)","authors":"Nadine Lerche , Silva Holtfreter , Birgit Walther , Torsten Semmler , Fawaz Al’Sholui , Stephanie J. Dancer , Georg Daeschlein , Nils-Olaf Hübner , Barbara M. Bröker , Roald Papke , Thomas Kohlmann , Romy Baguhl , Ulrike Seifert , Axel Kramer","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2021.151524","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) can colonize dental patients and students, however, studies on the prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible <em>S. aureus</em> (MSSA) among dental health care workers (DHCW) including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are scarce. We conducted an observational study (StaphDent study) to (I) determine the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA colonization in DHCW in the region of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, Germany, (II) resolve the <em>S. aureus</em> population structure to gain hints on possible transmission events between co-workers, and (III) clarify use of PPE. Nasal swabs were obtained from dentists (n = 149), dental assistants (n = 297) and other dental practice staff (n = 38). Clonal relatedness of MSSA isolates was investigated using <em>spa</em> typing and, in some cases, whole genome sequencing (WGS). PPE use was assessed by questionnaire. While 22.3% (108/485) of the participants were colonized with MSSA, MRSA was not detected. MSSA prevalence was not associated with size of dental practices, gender, age, or duration of employment. The identified 61 <em>spa</em> types grouped into 17 clonal complexes and four sequence types. Most <em>spa</em> types (n = 47) were identified only once. In ten dental practices one <em>spa</em> type occurred twice. WGS data analysis confirmed a close clonal relationship for 4/10 isolate pairs. PPE was regularly used by most dentists and assistants. To conclude, the failure to recover MRSA from DHCW reflects the low MRSA prevalence in this region. Widespread PPE use suggests adherence to routine hygiene protocols. Compared to other regional HCW MRSA rates the consequent usage of PPE seems to be protective.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"311 6","pages":"Article 151524"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5000,"publicationDate":"2021-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.ijmm.2021.151524","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1438422121000539","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MICROBIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can colonize dental patients and students, however, studies on the prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) among dental health care workers (DHCW) including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are scarce. We conducted an observational study (StaphDent study) to (I) determine the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA colonization in DHCW in the region of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, Germany, (II) resolve the S. aureus population structure to gain hints on possible transmission events between co-workers, and (III) clarify use of PPE. Nasal swabs were obtained from dentists (n = 149), dental assistants (n = 297) and other dental practice staff (n = 38). Clonal relatedness of MSSA isolates was investigated using spa typing and, in some cases, whole genome sequencing (WGS). PPE use was assessed by questionnaire. While 22.3% (108/485) of the participants were colonized with MSSA, MRSA was not detected. MSSA prevalence was not associated with size of dental practices, gender, age, or duration of employment. The identified 61 spa types grouped into 17 clonal complexes and four sequence types. Most spa types (n = 47) were identified only once. In ten dental practices one spa type occurred twice. WGS data analysis confirmed a close clonal relationship for 4/10 isolate pairs. PPE was regularly used by most dentists and assistants. To conclude, the failure to recover MRSA from DHCW reflects the low MRSA prevalence in this region. Widespread PPE use suggests adherence to routine hygiene protocols. Compared to other regional HCW MRSA rates the consequent usage of PPE seems to be protective.
期刊介绍:
Pathogen genome sequencing projects have provided a wealth of data that need to be set in context to pathogenicity and the outcome of infections. In addition, the interplay between a pathogen and its host cell has become increasingly important to understand and interfere with diseases caused by microbial pathogens. IJMM meets these needs by focussing on genome and proteome analyses, studies dealing with the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and the evolution of pathogenic agents, the interactions between pathogens and host cells ("cellular microbiology"), and molecular epidemiology. To help the reader keeping up with the rapidly evolving new findings in the field of medical microbiology, IJMM publishes original articles, case studies and topical, state-of-the-art mini-reviews in a well balanced fashion. All articles are strictly peer-reviewed. Important topics are reinforced by 2 special issues per year dedicated to a particular theme. Finally, at irregular intervals, current opinions on recent or future developments in medical microbiology are presented in an editorial section.