Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in Osaka Dental University Hospital: (2) Prevalence of MRS colonization in the operating room

Abstract

     We investigated the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in Osaka Dental University Hospital. We examined 36 locations in the operating room and the nasal carriage of four medical staff, and tested the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. MRS were isolated from 18 locations in the operating room and two medical staff. About half the MRS strains were isolated from locations in contact with the medical staff, and the others from locations not in contact. MRS were classified into 8 types according to antibiotic sensitivity. All strains were susceptible to vancomycin.
     These results indicate that both air-borne contamination and contact-infection were occurring in the operating room.