Comparative Genomics Identifies Features Associated with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Transmission in Hospital Settings.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious public health concern in the United States. Patients colonized and/or infected can transmit MRSA to healthcare workers and subsequent patients However, the components of this transmission chain are just becoming evident, including certain patient factors, specific patient-healthcare worker interactions, and microbial factors. We conducted a comparative genomic analysis of 388 isolates from four hospitals in three states: Maryland, California, and New York.

Examination of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from the Gloves and Gowns of Intensive Care Unit Health Care Workers.

Interactions with health care workers are often thought to be associated with the spread of microbes in the hospital setting. We have examined the genomic diversity of methicillin-resistant isolates from the gloves and gowns of health care workers from four hospitals in three states.

Examination of 388 Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Intensive Care Unit Patients.

We have examined the draft genomes of 388 methicillin-resistant isolates obtained from intensive care unit patients at three geographically distributed hospitals to determine genomic diversity associated with potential health care worker-associated transmission.