Detection and analysis of Staphylococcus aureus isolates found in ambulances in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Background: Given the frequency with which many different strains of Staphylococcus aureus are found in various prehospital settings, this study sought to characterize S aureus isolates taken from one such environment. The objectives were to determine the frequency of S aureus in front-line, advanced life support (ALS) ambulances throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, and to generate antibiograms (antibiotic resistance profiles) for each S aureus isolate using 8 clinically relevant antibiotics.

Methods: Samples were obtained from 26 sites in 71 ambulances from 34 different Chicago-area municipalities.