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A prevalence screen of MRSA nasal colonisation amongst UK doctors in a non-clinical environment

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases volume 28, pages 991–995 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in healthcare workers (HCWs) is both contentious and confounded by a lack of knowledge of background prevalence rates. This study examines prevalence of nasal MRSA carriage amongst a spectrum of medical professionals in a non-clinical environment. Medical conference attendees volunteered for screening for nasal MRSA carriage, and anonymised demographic data and attitudes towards screening were recorded. Two hundred sixty volunteers participated. One hundred seventy-three participants (67%) were from the British Medical Association′s Annual Representatives Meeting, and 87 participants (33%) were attending the Association of Surgeons in Training conference. Six (2%) participants were positive for MRSA nasal carriage (BMA = 1%, ASIT = 5%; p = 0.099). Participants from a surgical specialty (4.8%) were more likely to be MRSA positive (p = 0.039). All positive samples came from male participants (p = 0.182). However, there was no significant association with gender, seniority or country of employment and MRSA status. Routine screening for MRSA was supported by 63% of participants in HCWs; 36% had previously undergone such screening. MRSA nasal carriage rates within this cross-sectional study are lower than studies reporting carriage rates in HCWs within the clinical environment. Further research is required to examine the relationship between MRSA nasal colonisation status of a HCW and subsequent MRSA infection in patients.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was obtained from a Hospital Infection Society Small Grants Award. The authors wish to thank the infection control staff provided from NHS Lothian University Hospitals Trust (Fiona Cameron), Department of Microbiology Royal Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (Matt Noel) and Dr. Giles Edwards (MRSA Reference Laboratory, Glasgow).

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Affiliations

  1. Academic Coloproctology, 4TH Floor MRC Human Genetics Unit, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK

    R. R. W. Brady, C. McDermott & M. G. Dunlop

  2. Epidemiology and Statistics Core, Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK

    C. Graham

  3. Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lothian University Hospitals, Edinburgh, UK

    E. M. Harrison

  4. Department of Paediatrics, Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, Lothian University of Hospitals, Edinburgh, UK

    G. Eunson

  5. Department of Microbiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lothian University of Hospitals, Edinburgh, UK

    A. P. Gibb

  6. Hospital Infection Research Laboratory, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK

    A. P. Fraise

Authors
  1. R. R. W. Brady
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  2. C. McDermott
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  3. C. Graham
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  4. E. M. Harrison
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  5. G. Eunson
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  6. A. P. Fraise
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  7. M. G. Dunlop
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  8. A. P. Gibb
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Correspondence to R. R. W. Brady.

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Brady, R.R.W., McDermott, C., Graham, C. et al. A prevalence screen of MRSA nasal colonisation amongst UK doctors in a non-clinical environment. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 28, 991–995 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-009-0718-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-009-0718-4

Keywords

  • Latex Agglutination Test
  • British Medical Association
  • Anterior Nare
  • Nasal Colonisation
  • Clinical Contact