METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS IN A CYSTIC-FIBROSIS UNIT

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in a cyst ic fibrosis (CF) unit was investigated. Two typing methods, phage-typi ng and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and phylogenetic analysis, showed that nos ocomial transmission of MRSA from the general hospital population had occurred. One instance of possible transmission between two patients w as identified. However, transmission between two family members did no t occur indicating a minimal risk of MRSA acquisition from social cont act compared with hospital admission. This study supports policies for limiting CF-patient admission to hospital but transmission of MRSA do es not appear to be a reason for limiting social contact with other CF patients.