Non-multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal unit.

Background: In the last decade, non-multiresistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NM-MRSA) has been described as an important agent in bloodstream infections in our hospital.

Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted from February 2009 through January 2010 in the neonatal unit, evaluated 403 newborns (NB), their 382 mothers and 148 health care workers (HCW).

Results: Approximately 217 NB (54%), 187 mothers (48%) and 87 HCW (59%) were colonized by S.

Performance of surveillance cultures at different body sites to identify asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus carriers.

The objective was to evaluate the performance of surveillance cultures at various body sites for Staphylococcus aureus colonization in pregnant women and newborns (NB) and the factors associated with nasal colonization. For NB, 4 sites were evaluated: nares, oropharynx, perineum, and umbilical stump (birth, third day, and weekly). For pregnant women, 4 sites during labor: anterior nares, anus, perineum, and oropharynx.