Prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in residents of long-term care facilities in Luxembourg, 2010

A prevalence survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was performed in 2010 in 19 long-term care facilities in Luxembourg. Of the 954 participating residents, 69 (7.2%) were colonized by MRSA. Previous history of MRSA [odds ratio (OR) 7.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.19-16.27], quinolone therapy in the previous year (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.17-4.41) and >= 24 h care administered per week (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.18-15.56) were independent risk factors for MRSA colonization. More than 75% of strains were of clonal complex (CC) 5, mainly spa-type t003 or sequence type (ST)225 and ST710, which is a rapidly emerging lineage prevalent in central Europe. Five residents were colonized by livestock-associated genotypes belonging to CC398. Previously dominant CC8 strains have recently been replaced by more resistant CC5 strains in Luxembourg.