Triple swabbing allows sensitive MRSA detection in dermatologic patients of a university tertiary care hospital. (4th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daeschlein, Georg; Bloom, Tina; von, Sebastian; Assadian, Ojan; Wagenvoort, Johann HT; Riebe, Helene; Fochler, Sebastian; Al‐Jebori, Abdulkareem; Karsai, Syrus; Kaisermayer, Ellen; Haase, Hermann; Scholz, Sebastian; Jünger, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. Volume 11:Number 6(2013)
• Page Start: 522
• Page End: 528
• Publication Date: 2012-12-04
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08078.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1610-0379

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <sec id="ddg8078-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>To optimize preventive measures to control MRSA, we investigated retrospectively the suitability of a multiple site screening model and the optimal sampling technique to detect MRSA in a university‐based phlebology and skin cancer center in Germany.</p> </sec> <sec id="ddg8078-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Patients and Methods</title> <p>During 4.5 years samples of 3 712 inpatients in a dermatologic department were analyzed for MRSA by conventional microbiologic cultures and in parallel by PCR. Samples were taken from nares, wounds and skin lesions.</p> </sec> <sec id="ddg8078-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>MRSA was detected in 60 inpatients (1.6%). 268 of 7 269 (3.7%) samples at admission and during hospital stay were found positive ñ 96 (35.8%) of these were swabs of nares, 59 (22.0%) surveillance swabs, 53 (19.8%) wound swabs and 42 (15.7%) from other dermatologic lesions. Twenty‐five of 60 patients (41.7%) were found positive only in the nares, 10 (16.7%) patients only in wounds and 4 (6.7%) patients only in lesions. 166 (61.9%) of all positive culture samples became positive 24 hours after cultivation, 86 (32.1%) after 48 hours, and 16 (6.0%) after 72 hours.</p> </sec> <sec id="ddg8078-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Highest sensitivity to detect MRSA can be reached by combining three swabs: nares, wounds and skin lesions (ìtriple‐testî). Culture of screening specimens for 72 hours is recommended.</p> </sec> </abstract>