Korean J Spine.  2011 Mar;8(1):41-44. 10.14245/kjs.2011.8.1.41.

Nasal Colonization Rate of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus among Age Group of Spinal Fusion Surgery

• Yoo HN
• Choi BK
• Han IH
• Kim SY
• Yun EY

• KMID: 2288436
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2011.8.1.41

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common cause of postoperative infection in instrumented fusion surgery. Although MRSA is well-known cause of nosocomial infection, emerging evidence supports that there could be MRSA infection from community. This study evaluated the nasal colonization rate of MRSA among healthy adults within the age range of spinal fusion surgery in Korea.
METHODS
Nasal swabs were collected from 99 participants who visited health promotion center. A structured questionnaire regarding healthcare-associated MRSA risk factors was collected simultaneously. Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by latex agglutination. The resistance to methicillin was identified by oxacillin screening test.
RESULTS
Of the 99 participants, 12 (12.1%) had S. aureus isolates. The nasal carriage rate of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was 9 (9.1%). MRSA was identified in 3 participants (3.0%).
CONCLUSION
Among the age range of possible spinal fusion surgery, nasal colonization study revealed substantial rate of preoperative MRSA carriers even in healthy adults. A postoperative MRSA infection should not be exclusively considered to be due to surgery-related contamination.

Keyword

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Wound infection, postoperative; Spinal fusions

MeSH Terms

Adult
Agglutination
Colon
Cross Infection
Health Promotion
Humans
Latex
Mass Screening
Methicillin
Methicillin Resistance
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Nasal Surgical Procedures
Oxacillin
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Spinal Fusion
Staphylococcus
Staphylococcus aureus
Surgical Wound Infection
Latex
Methicillin
Oxacillin