Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of S. aureus and MRSA on Children's Playgrounds.

摘要: Background:Staphylococcus aureus is a major public health concern due to the emergence of virulent and drug-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although numerous studies have been conducted to assess the environmental contamination of S. aureus in health care and household settings, little is known about the prevalence and epidemiology of S. aureus, including MRSA, on environmental surfaces of children’s playgrounds. This study investigated the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA at playgrounds in northeast Ohio.Methods:A total of 280 environmental samples were collected from 10 playgrounds in northeast Ohio in July 2016. Sampling sites were selected based on playground size and availability of equipment located in both small and large cities and their suburbs. Samples were analyzed using established microbiology methods …