Infection Prevention in Practice最新文献

{"title":"Sodium dichloroisocyanurate: a promising candidate for the disinfection of resilient drain biofilm","authors":"Abbie Martin ,&nbsp;Natasha Doyle ,&nbsp;Tom F. O'Mahony","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100446","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Biofilms are complex multicellular communities of microorganisms embedded within a protective matrix which confers resistance to various antimicrobials, including biocides. Biofilms can cause a range of human diseases and are responsible for 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections in the US annually, providing an economic burden of $11.5 billion in treatment costs. Biofilm contained within drain and plumbing systems may contain pathogenic viruses and bacteria which pose a significant risk to patient safety within healthcare environments.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of this study was to determine if three hospital-grade disinfectants (sodium dichloroisocyanurate, peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite) were capable of killing microorganisms within biofilm, and thus, determining their potential as candidates for drain biofilm disinfection.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> biofilms were cultivated using the CDC biofilm reactor, a standardised method for determining disinfectant efficacy against biofilm within the United States of America. Each disinfectant was tested using a one-minute contact time, using the highest concentration available on the product label.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The sodium dichloroisocyanurate product was successful in killing biofilm microorganisms, resulting in a log reduction of ≥ 8.70. Peracetic acid reduced biofilm by 3.82 log₁₀ units, followed by sodium hypochlorite, which produced a reduction of 3.78 log₁₀ units.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The use of a highly effective disinfectant with proven biofilm efficacy can help ensure patient safety and reduce infection levels. Drains and plumbing systems provide a reservoir for potential pathogens and biofilm; thus, drain disinfection is critical in reducing the instance of hospital-acquired infections. Sodium dichloroisocyanurate may provide a reliable solution for drain applications and subsequently, patient wellbeing and safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100446"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143348434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing epidemic prevention in nursing homes using clinical surveillance of respiratory infections","authors":"Philippe Gaspard ,&nbsp;Martin Martinot","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pose a significant risk in nursing homes (NHs), which makes surveillance crucial for timely intervention.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To monitor the impacts of seasonal RTIs in NHs, which include frequency, the use of rapid diagnostic tests and antibiotics, mortality, and cluster dynamics, with the use of clinical surveillance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>During the winter periods from 2015 to 2019 (22 weeks), data on general signs (GSs), and respiratory signs (RSs) were collected to define three respiratory clinical sign patterns (CSPs): GS+/RS+, GS−/RS+, and GS+/RS−. Clusters (≥2 cases) were identified and classified into three intensity levels, namely, L1, L2, and L3 (2, 3–5, and ≥6 GS+/RS+/4 days, respectively). CSP frequencies and the 28-day all-cause mortality were calculated.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>In 13 NHs (N = 3,628 resident inclusions, median age: 87.2 years), 1,538 GS+/RS+, 1,482 GS−/RS+, and 233 GS+/RS− cases were observed, with mortality rates of 8.5%, 2.8%, and 6%, respectively. Among the GS+/RS+ cases, 63% received an antimicrobials. GS+/RS+ cluster analysis identified 141 clusters with L1, 100 with L2, and 26 with L3.</div><div>A total of 209 rapid diagnostic tests for influenza were carried out, with 72.2% conducted in L2 or L3 clusters. Within clusters, the first case must be identified promptly with rapid outbreak development taking place within the first 2–3 days, and potentially less effective containment efforts following delayed detection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Clinical surveillance is a comprehensive method that can be utilized for the rapid implementation of preventive measures and appropriate use of antibiotics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100444"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of non-compliance with hand hygiene using a covert direct observation methodology","authors":"Majid M. Alshamrani ,&nbsp;Aiman El-Saed ,&nbsp;Fatmah Othman ,&nbsp;Mohammed Al Zunitan ,&nbsp;Seema Noushad ,&nbsp;Ayham Albadawi ,&nbsp;Eman Alghamdi ,&nbsp;Saad Almohrij","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Hawthorne effect may result in an overestimation of hand hygiene (HH) compliance during routine observations, which may weaken the significance of factors associated with non-compliance. The aim of this study was to examine professional and healthcare determinants of HH non-compliance using covert observation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study design was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. HH observations were conducted discreetly by trained observers, followed by a questionnaire and an audit to identify possible determinants of HH non-compliance. HH non-compliance was assessed according to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) five-moments for HH, while inappropriate compliance was evaluated by additionally considering incorrect HH technique.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 6580 HH opportunities were observed by 502 HCWs. The overall non-compliance rate was 54.1% with inappropriate compliance at 71.1%. Significant factors associated (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05) with non-compliance included lack of HH education/training, lack of job promotion, working in the emergency department, lack of HH auditing, absence of pocket-sized alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) bottles, inconveniently placed hand washing sinks and ABHR wall dispensers, infrequent replacement of empty ABHR wall dispensers, and lack of nearby promoting posters. With few exceptions, the determinants of HH inappropriate compliance were similar to those of HH non-compliance, when objectively audited by the researcher.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The findings underscore the importance of HH training and supportive healthcare infrastructures. These insights may assist decision-makers in identifying specific work environment factors that could improve HH compliance through appropriate interventions. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of these suggested modifications on HH compliance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100442"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intrahospital dissemination of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii at a teaching hospital in Northeast of Mexico","authors":"Samantha Villarreal-Cruz ,&nbsp;Adrián Camacho-Ortiz ,&nbsp;Samantha Flores-Treviño ,&nbsp;Licet Villarreal-Treviño ,&nbsp;Paola Bocanegra-Ibarias","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100443","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100443","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em> is an opportunistic drug-resistant Gram-negative coccobacillus associated with nosocomial infections, representing a worldwide public health problem.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of this study was to analyse the dissemination of <em>A. baumannii</em> in two hospital buildings in Mexico through phenotypic and genotypic characterization of clinical isolates obtained for three years.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Clinical strains were collected from two buildings in a tertiary-care hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. After species identification by MALDI-TOF MS and PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion and microdilution methods, carbapenemase-encoding genes (OXA-23, -24, -51, and -58) were searched, and clonal diversity was analysed by PFGE and MLST.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Among 204 specimens, 87.3% and 50.5% of the isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and difficult-to-treat-resistant (DTR), respectively. The OXA-24 gene was detected in 95% of the isolates. Most isolates (n=181) were grouped into 15 clones, four which predominated and disseminated after five months. Among ST detected (ST1694, ST758, ST124, and ST490), ST124, which belongs to the high-risk CC636 clonal complex, is reported for the first time in Mexico.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Long-term persistence and dissemination of <em>A. baumannii</em> clones were observed in specific hospital wards from two buildings in a tertiary-care hospital in Mexico. High antimicrobial resistance, such as MDR and DTR, were observed in this hospital. DTR surveillance and early recognition of MDR <em>A. baumannii</em> clones should be performed routinely to prevent their dissemination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100443"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical and economic impact of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units in Japan","authors":"Taikan Nanao ,&nbsp;Koichi Benjamin Ishikawa ,&nbsp;Shunya Ikeda ,&nbsp;Tsutomu Yamazaki","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has a considerable impact on both clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. This study compared 40 patients having VAP with 40 matched controls from a Japanese ICU dataset. Patients with VAP experienced significantly longer ICU and hospital stays, fewer ventilator-free days, and a higher incidence of tracheostomies. VAP cases also required more broad-spectrum antimicrobials, leading to an additional cost of approximately USD 24,410 per case. These results highlight the importance of implementing effective infection control strategies to mitigate VAP's clinical and economic consequences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100440"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections: a cross-sectional study in a rehabilitation facility","authors":"D.C. Muscat ,&nbsp;M. Sciortino ,&nbsp;E. Tartari","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are prevalent yet preventable healthcare-associated infections. Effective prevention requires healthcare professionals (HCPs) to possess adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and adherence to best practices.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of HCPs regarding the prevention and management of CAUTI in a Maltese rehabilitation facility.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered online questionnaire from January to March 2023, using total population sampling of doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants (<em>N</em> = 315). Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SPSS.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 315 HCPs invited, 215 responded (68.3%). KAP levels towards CAUTI prevention were moderate to adequate. The attitude scores of doctors and nurses varied significantly based on nationality (<em>P</em> = 0.011), professional designation (<em>P</em> = 0.010), and educational level (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001). Positive correlations were identified between CAUTI knowledge and practices among doctors' and nurses' (<em>P</em>=0.002, r = 0.309). For nursing assistants, significant differences were observed across knowledge (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001), attitude (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001), and practice scores (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001), based on age, educational level, job experience, and timing of their last infection prevention and control training. Positive correlations were observed between knowledge and attitudes (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001, r = 0.471), knowledge and practice (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001, r = 0.383), and attitudes and practice (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001, r = 0.403) for nursing assistants.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>HCP knowledge and attitudes directly influence CAUTI prevention practices. Continuous education and targeted training programmes are critical to improving practices and reducing CAUTI-related patient harm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100438"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surgical prophylaxis in Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania – learning from a point prevalence survey","authors":"T.J. Schrama ,&nbsp;K.J. Vliegenthart-Jongbloed ,&nbsp;M. Gemuwang ,&nbsp;E.Q. Nuwass","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100429","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100429","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, with improper antibiotic use contributing to its rise. Tanzania initiated an AMR action plan in 2017, but comprehensive surveillance and stewardship efforts remain limited. This study focused on evaluating antibiotic use, particularly surgical prophylaxis, in a rural Tanzanian hospital.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study was conducted at Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania in May 2023, using a cross-sectional point prevalence survey. Antibiotic use in all patients admitted for &gt;24 h and those undergoing surgery was recorded, including type, dose, indication and duration. Quality indicators for surgical prophylaxis were assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 199 inpatients, 55% received antibiotics, with surgical prophylaxis accounting for 23% of prescriptions. Notably, none of the patients who received surgical prophylaxis received a single-dose regimen, and 67% exceeded the recommended 24-h duration. A combination of ampicillin-cloxacillin plus metronidazole was the most commonly prescribed combination for surgical prophylaxis (41% of prescriptions). Thirty-three percent of the antibiotics prescribed for surgical prophylaxis were classified as ‘Not recommended’ by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, 90% of surgical prophylaxis prescriptions lacked documented rationale, and 83% of prescriptions lacked stop/review dates in medical records.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study reveals a high prevalence of prolonged antibiotic use for surgical prophylaxis, frequent use of antibiotics classified as ‘Not recommended’, and a lack of adequate documentation, which deviates from international standards. These practices highlight the urgent need for contextualized national guidelines, large-scale implementation projects of evidence-based interventions, and local initiatives in antibiotic stewardship, particularly in low-resource settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100429"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143135749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reducing waste and improving provider safety: a retrospective analysis with lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Johannes Heymer,&nbsp;Stefani Fruchi,&nbsp;Anna Hein,&nbsp;Matthias Ott,&nbsp;Daniel Räpple","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Reducing waste is an important component in comprehensive efforts to create greener intensive care units (ICU). Personal protective equipment (PPE) constitutes a significant share of the waste produced during ICU care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability and supply of PPE posed substantial challenges globally. We aimed to investigate the lessons learned from the use of PPE during the pandemic (regarding the reduction of PPE consumption) and impact on hospital-acquired infections in healthcare workers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Conducting a retrospective analysis, we examined all newly issued standard operating procedures for the ICU related to the pandemic. We observed for a potential effect on the use of PPE and scrutinized PPE consumption and patient day data focusing on potential differences between 2020 and the following years until 2023. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of the protocols and measures on PPE consumption.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our analysis revealed that the implementation of four key infection control measures (cohorting, limitation of visits, institutional protocols for PPE use, staff training) lead to a substantial reduction in the use of masks and isolation gowns during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic with no recorded hospital-acquired infections among healthcare workers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>It is possible to reduce PPE consumption without compromising the safety of our healthcare professionals. Our observations may guide future policies to reduce PPE consumption with the intent of reducing the environmental impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100437"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding healthcare workers' experiences of face mask use in healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview study","authors":"H. Carter ,&nbsp;A. Sharp ,&nbsp;L. Davidson ,&nbsp;C. Foster ,&nbsp;E. McGuire ,&nbsp;C. Brown ,&nbsp;D. Weston","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Whilst healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting infectious viral diseases, such as COVID-19, measures can be put in place to reduce the spread of diseases in healthcare settings. These currently include the use of different types of masks: fluid-resistant surgical masks (FRSM) and filtering facepiece (FFP3) respirators. However, for mask policies to be effective, compliance with their use must be high.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To understand any barriers to face mask use, and to promote compliance with face mask policy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twelve HCWs from a variety of backgrounds were interviewed during the COVID-19 pandemic in England in 2022 to understand their experiences of mask use. We explored factors associated with compliance with mask use and potential impacts on HCW wellbeing.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Overall, participants reported good understanding of the benefits of masks and high compliance levels with policy. However, factors that reduced their compliance with mask policy and impacted their ability to carry out their role were highlighted. These included wearing masks for longer durations, policy being perceived as out of proportion with risk, communication challenges, and discomfort.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights the importance of clear communication of guidance, particularly when it has changed, ensuring staff are familiar with up-to-date research on efficacy of masks, and ensuring guidance aligns with risk. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of masks being required for an appropriate duration (based on risk).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100434"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11786728/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concurrent presence of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec types of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital environments and post-operative patients at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal","authors":"Krishma Pandit ,&nbsp;Supriya Sharma ,&nbsp;Shreedhar Aryal ,&nbsp;Asmita Lamichhane ,&nbsp;Sushma Regmi ,&nbsp;Prativa Paudel ,&nbsp;Sirjana Koirala ,&nbsp;Suprina Sharma ,&nbsp;Sanjib Adhikari ,&nbsp;Komal Raj Rijal ,&nbsp;Pramod Poudel","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Meticillin resistant <em>S. aureus</em> (MRSA) is a major contributor to surgical site infections in post-operative patients. Hospital environments harbor MRSA, contributing to higher risk of nosocomial infections. Meticillin resistance is conferred by acquisition of <em>mecA</em> gene, typically carried on mobile genetic element called Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome <em>mec</em> (SCC<em>mec</em>).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA, detect <em>mecA</em>, characterize SCC<em>mec</em> types and compare their concurrent presence in clinical and environmental isolates.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross sectional study was conducted at Bhaktapur Hospital, Nepal among clinical specimens collected from postoperative patients. Air and environmental samples were collected by plate exposure and swabbing methods. Samples were processed for culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer Disc diffusion method, and identification of MRSA using cefoxitin disc. SCC<em>mec</em> typing was done by conventional PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The culture positivity among samples from post-operative patients was 13.9% (326/2350) with <em>S.aureus</em> (39.7%,29/73) being predominating Gram positive bacteria. MRSA accounted for 68 % (20/29) of clinical isolates and 66% (22/33) of environmental isolates, with <em>mecA</em> detected in 85% (17/20) and 72.8% (16/22) respectively. SCC<em>mec</em> Type II predominated followed by Type V and I, while other types were absent. Comparison of SCC<em>mec</em> elements between post-operative patients and hospital environmental samples revealed concurrent presence in both setting, with Type II being the most prevalent.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>SCC<em>mec</em> Type I, II, V and <em>mecA</em> elements were concurrently present in both post-operative patients and hospital environments. Effective preventive measures are warranted to break the MRSA transmission between these settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100436"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11774771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}