Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the children of hospital staff attending a day-care centre

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial pathogen. Hospital staff with nasal carriage might transmit it to family members. We conducted this study to determine whether MRSA, acquired in the hospital environment, was a threat to the children of hospital staff. We obtained anterior nares cultures from 135 children, either one of whose parents was working in the hospital, who were attending the associated day-care centre. Three children with no history of previous hospital admission showed nasal carriage of MRSA. They were treated with topical mupirocin for 7 days. Cultures obtained after a drug-free 7 days revealed no growth. The mother and sister of a child were determined to be nasal carriers and they were treated with topical mupirocin. Our findings imply that children of hospital staff may be at risk for MRSA carriage. Med Sci Res 27:161-162 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.