Molecular Characterization of Staphylococci Recovered from Hospital Personnel and Frequently Touched Items in Tianjin, China

Abstract BackgroundStaphylococci are major hospital-associated pathogens, and acquisition of Antimicrobial resistant genes poses a great challenge for the management of hospital-acquired infections. To our knowledge, little is known about the intra-hospital genotypes of staphylococci recovered from hospital environment and personnel in China. In this study, we provide insights into the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant staphylococci recovered from frequently touched items and personnel in a large hospital of Tianjin, China. MethodsSamples were collected from hospital personnel and frequently touched items respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and molecular characterization was performed to determine the antimicrobial resistance and genetic features of staphylococci, Results One-hundred and ninety-five staphylococci were recovered, and 85 methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRCoNS) were identified. One-hundred and eighty-three isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Staphylococci were found to harbour SCCmec type I, II, IV, V, VI and IX elements. In addition, 1 S. aureus was determined to be ST25, and the majority of MRSE isolates belonged to ST59 and ST89. Three new sequence types (STs) were identified. Conclusions One (2%) frequently touched surfaces was contaminated by S. aureus, and 39% (37/49) of frequently touched surfaces were contaminated by MRCoNS in Tianjin, China. MRSE (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis) that was identified in frequently touched items was not significantly affected by the MRSE recovered from hospital personnel. Hospital items and personnel may act as reservoir of antimicrobial resistant staphylococci, and cleaning strategies should be carried out to eradicate the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant staphylococci in the hospital.