Le choc septique reste une pathologie grave, associée à des taux de mortalité et d'infections nosocomiales (IN) secondaires élevés. La prédiction du pronostic est de la plus haute importance pour sélectionner les patients qui pourraient bénéficier de traitements visant à moduler la réponse immunitaire. Le système immunitaire, classiquement active par des agents externes, peut également être activé par des médiateurs endogènes exprimés à la suite d'une agression d'origine septique ou non. Les protéines S100 font partie de ces signaux de danger endogènes (ou alarmines). Le but de ce travail est d'évaluer la capacité de l'ARNm de S100A9 mesuré dans le sang total de patients en choc septique à prédire la survie et la survenue d'IN. Nous avons également étudié la régulation de l'expression des ARN messagers de S100A8 et S100A9 dans un modèle ex vivo de tolérance à l'endotoxine qui reproduit partiellement les dysfonctions de l'immunité innée induites par le sepsis. L'ARNm de S100A9 est surexprimé dans le sang des patients en choc septique. Un taux élevé entre le 7eme et le 10eme jour du début du choc septique est associé à la survenue d'IN secondaires. Ex vivo, l'expression des ARNm de S100A8 et S100A9 est augmentée durant le phénomène de tolérance à l'endotoxine. Le blocage de l IL-10 et l'administration d'IFN-γ réduisent l'augmentation de ces ARNm dans ce modèle. Apres confirmation dans des études cliniques, ces résultats préliminaires suggèrent que l'expression des ARNm de S100A8 et S100A9 puisse être utilisée comme marqueur du phénomène de tolérance à l'endotoxine et comme outils pour évaluer la dysfonction immunitaire des patients en choc septique. Ces patients pourraient alors bénéficier de thérapies visant à restaurer leurs fonctions immunitaires / Septic shock remains a serious disease with high mortality and increased risk of hospital-acquired infection. The prediction of outcome is of the utmost importance for selecting patients for therapeutic strategies aiming to modify the immune response. Immune system, typically activated by external agents, can also be activated by endogenous mediators induced by various types of stress (trauma, infection, burns). S100 proteins are part of the alarmins family. The aim of this study was to assess the capability of S100A9 messenger RNA in whole blood from patients with septic shock to predict survival and the occurrence of hospital-acquired infection. We also investigate the regulation of S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expressions in an ex vivo model of endotoxin tolerance which partially reproduces sepsis-induced innate immune alterations. S100A9 messenger RNA is increased in septic shock and its delayed overexpression is associated with the occurrence of secondary hospital-acquired infection. Ex vivo, S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expressions are increased during endotoxin tolerance. IL-10 blockade and rIFN-γ treatment partially abrogated S100A8/A9 mRNA increases in this model. Pending confirmation in larger, independent clinical studies, these preliminary results suggest that S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA levels might be used as surrogate markers of endotoxin tolerance and as evaluation tools for immune dysfunctions in septic shock patients. These patients could be selected for therapeutic aiming to restore immune functions

The purpose of this project was to develop an instructional manual on in-service education for Certified Nurses' Aides. It provides examples of classes for staff developers to use when teaching continuing education classes. Topics covered include caring for the elderly, Alzheimer's disease, infection control, adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and end of life care.

The purpose of the study was to develop practice guidelines to promote adherence to infection control standards in a specific hospital in Manzini, Swaziland. It was a qualitative, descriptive and explanatory design which utilised an in-depth unstructured face to face interview data collection method done to nine (9) registered nurse participants. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify prominent themes and patterns, smaller units of data were named and coded according to the contents they represented. Four themes emerged from data analysis, they were; working environment for nurses, nurse’s descriptions of infection control standards, nurse’s challenges regarding adherence to infection control standards and nurses expressed needs. The findings revealed possible contributing factors to non-adherence to infection control standards by participants and therefore denoted to a serious need for development of general guidelines to promote adherence to infection control standards, these guidelines were presented. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

As infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) desafiam constantemente a qualidade da assistência prestada no sistema de saúde como um todo. Apesar do conhecimento acerca do conceito de infecção hospitalar, suas origens, fatores relacionados e principalmente as medidas gerais de prevenção e controle das IRAS, o que normalmente se verifica, é a baixa adesão dos PAS às medidas preventivas. Existem várias medidas fortemente embasadas em evidências científicas, porém, a utilização dessas medidas, por profissionais de saúde, permanece um grande desafio. Estudos mencionam que o não cumprimento das diretrizes é um problema universal, e para desenvolver intervenções bem-sucedidas, são necessárias mais pesquisas sobre os determinantes comportamentais. Diante disso este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a adesão às práticas de prevenção e controle de infecção dos (PAS) que atuam em UTI, tais como: cuidados de manipulação e curativo de cateteres venosos centrais (CVC) e manipulação direta do paciente e de seu ambiente próximo e investigar uma possível correlação entre a adesão dos PAS e o desempenho de seus testes psicológicos que avaliaram seus Estilos de pensamento, Autoestima, Qualidade de vida, Estresse e Personalidade. Realizou-se um estudo observacional, prospectivo, no período de julho de 2012 a dezembro de 2013 em quatro Unidades de Terapia Intensiva em um grande hospital escola. Foram realizadas 7.572 observações distribuídas entre as práticas selecionadas de 248 profissionais que atuaram em quatro UTIs, constituídos por médicos e enfermeiros (auxiliares de enfermagem, técnicos de enfermagem e enfermeiros). Para a equipe de enfermagem a proporção de adesão para o procedimento de cuidados com a manipulação variou entre 13% e 95%, ficando com a menor adesão as etapas que envolveram a higienização das mãos (HM) antes de manipular o cateter e a desinfecção da conexão do CVC. Para o procedimento de cuidados com o curativo do CVC a proporção de adesão variou entre 14% e 99%, ficando com a menor adesão novamente as etapas que envolveram a HM antes de iniciar a troca do curativo do CVC. Para avaliação da equipe médica foi observada a adesão à HM das mãos nos cinco momentos propostos pela OMS. A proporção de adesão variou entre 10% e 98%. Observou-se menor taxa de adesão para os momentos \"Antes do contato direto com o paciente\", \"Após contato com ambiente próximo ao paciente\" e \"Antes de procedimentos assépticos\". Utilizou-se um modelo de regressão logística ajustado para avaliar a associação entre à adesão às práticas de controle de infecção e os testes psicológicos dos profissionais de saúde e apenas a autoestima e aspectos de personalidade (agressão, assistência, deferência, afago e afiliação) obtiveram associação com a adesão às práticas de controle de infecção. Conhecer fatores biopsicossociais (características de personalidade e autoestima) capazes de gerar comportamentos que influenciam o ato de adesão dos PAS às práticas de controle de infecção, pode ser um passo importante para projetar estratégias de intervenção mais eficientes para modificar o comportamento dos profissionais de saúde e aumentar as boas práticas / Health care-associated infections (HAI) consistently challenge the quality of care provided in the health system as a whole. Despite knowledge about hospital infection, its origins, associated factors and the general measures of prevention and control, usually a low adherence of healthcare professional to preventive measures is observed. There are several scientifically-based preventive measures, however the use of these guidelines by health professionals remains a major challenge. Studies point out that failure to comply with the guidelines is a universal problem and for successful interventions to be developed further research on behavioral determinants is needed. The objective of this study was: -to evaluate the adherence to the prevention and infection control practices by healthcare professionals working in ICUs, during procedures such as handling and dressing of central venous catheters (CVC), and direct manipulation of the patient and the close environment to the patient; and -to investigate a possible correlation between adherence of healthcare professionals and their performance in psychological tests (Styles of Thought, Self Esteem, Quality of Life, Stress and Personality). An observational, prospective study was carried out from July 2012 to December 2013 in four Intensive Care Units in a large teaching hospital. A total of 7,572 observations was made, for 248 healthcare professionals who worked in four ICUs. These were doctors and nurses (nurse assistants, nurse technicians and registered nurses). For the nursing team the proportion of adherence to adequate procedures involving CVC manipulation varied between 13% and 95%. The steps with smaller adhesion were: hand hygiene (HM) before beginning the CVC manipulation and disinfection of the CVC hub. For the CVC dressing, adherence varied between 14% and 99%. Lowest adherence was observed for HM before beginning the dressing. For doctors, hand hygiene was observed during the five moments proposed by the WHO. Compliance varied between 10% and 98%. Lowest compliance was observed for the moments: \" Before direct contact with the patient \",\" After contact with environment close to the patient \"and\" Before aseptic procedure \". An adjusted regression logistics model was used to evaluate the correlation between adherence to infection control practices by the healthcare professionals and their psychological tests. Self-esteem and aspects of personality (aggression, attendance, affiliation and cuddle) were associated with compliance. We believe that knowing biopsychosocial factors (personality traits and self-esteem) that may influence adherence of healthcare professionals to infection control practices can be an important step to develop more efficient intervention strategies to modify behavior and increase quality of care for patients

Nas duas últimas décadas, várias espécies de Candida têm surgido como importantes patógenos hospitalares, no mundo e no Brasil. A identificação da origem da infecção tem importância na definição de estratégias de prevenção e controle. As estratégias para a prevenção de candidíase endógena podem focar, parcialmente, em métodos para redução da colonização de mucosas, por exemplo, a restrição ao uso de antibióticos de largo espectro. Entretanto, nos casos nos quais está envolvida uma fonte exógena, um expressivo reforço, na melhoria da qualidade das práticas de assistência à saúde, é prioritário para prevenção da transmissão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes sítios de colonização por Candida como potenciais fontes de candidemia. O estudo foi desenvolvido em 3 hospitais no Brasil: Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo, hospital universitário de nível terciário de complexidade, com mil leitos; o Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, um hospital com 200 leitos, referência para todo o Estado de São Paulo; e o Hospital Geral de Itapecerica da Serra, hospital de cuidados secundários da Grande São Paulo. Foram incluídos no estudo os pacientes com isolamento de Candida em hemocultura obtida de veia periférica após 48 horas de admissão hospitalar. As culturas de vigilância para Candida foram colhidas dos seguintes sítios: urina, reto, cavidade oral, pele (virilha e axila), pele ao redor do cateter e ponta de cateter caso disponível. A tipagem molecular foi realizada quando a mesma espécie de Candida (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata) foi isolada no sangue e nos sítios de vigilância do mesmo paciente. A eletroforese em campo pulsado foi realizada para os isolados de C. albicans, C. parapsilosis e C. glabrata. A amplificação de segmentos polimórficos do DNA foi realizada para C. albicans e C. tropicalis. No total 63 pacientes consecutivos com candidemia foram incluídos no estudo no período de maio de 2004 a outubro de 2005. C. albicans foi isolada em 42% das hemoculturas, C. parapsilosis em 35%, C. tropicalis em 16%, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. glabrata, e C. holmii, em 2% cada uma. Unicamente seis dos 10 isolados de ponta de cateter apresentaram perfil eletroforético idêntico aos isolados de C. parapsilosis do sangue. Os isolados de C. albicans do sangue e de culturas de vigilância do trato gastrintestinal correspondentes, oriundos de 12 pacientes, apresentaram genótipos idênticos. Os resultados sugerem que a colonização do trato gastrintestinal é a provável fonte de candidemia por C. albicans e que a candidemia por C. parasilosis é de origem exógena. / In the last two decades, Candida spp. have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in the world and in Brazil. The identification of the source of infection is important in approaching prevention and control strategies. Strategies for the prevention of endogenous candidiasis may focus, to a certain extent, on methods for reducing mucosal colonization, for example limitation use of wide-spectrum antibiotics. However, in cases in which an exogenous source is involved, the aggressive reinforcement of adequate healthcare practices is mandatory to prevent transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate different Candida colonization sites as potential sources for Candida fungemia. The study was done in 3 hospitals in Brazil: the Central Institute of Hospital das Clinicas, a 1000-bed tertiary-care hospital affiliated to the University of São Paulo; the Institute Emilio Ribas, a 200-bed infectious diseases hospital, reference for all the state of São Paulo; and the General Hospital of Itapecerica da Serra, a secondary-care community hospital located in area of the greater São Paulo. The patients with a positive blood culture for Candida, collected from a peripheral vein, were included in the study if they had to be hospitalized for 48 hours or more before candidemia. The following surveillance cultures for Candida were collected from: urine, rectum, oropharynx, skin (groin and axilla), skin around the catheter and catheter tip if available. Molecular typing was performed when the same species of Candida (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata) was isolated from the blood and from surveillance sites of a single patient. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed for C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata isolates. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA was performed for C. albicans and C. tropicalis. A total of 63 consecutive patients with candidemia were included in the period from May 2004 to October 2005. C. albicans comprised 42% of the blood isolates, C. parapsilosis 35%, C. tropicalis 16%, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. holmii, 2% each. Six of the 10 isolates from catheter tips presented identical electrophoretic profiles to corresponding C. parapsilosis blood cultures and no other surveillance sites were related. C. albicans isolates from blood and from corresponding gastrointestinal surveillance sites from 12 patients presented identical genotypes. In conclusion, our results suggest that tract gastrointestinal colonization is the probable source of C. albicans candidemia and that C. parapsilosis candidemia is not endogenous.

As infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) desafiam constantemente a qualidade da assistência prestada no sistema de saúde como um todo. Apesar do conhecimento acerca do conceito de infecção hospitalar, suas origens, fatores relacionados e principalmente as medidas gerais de prevenção e controle das IRAS, o que normalmente se verifica, é a baixa adesão dos PAS às medidas preventivas. Existem várias medidas fortemente embasadas em evidências científicas, porém, a utilização dessas medidas, por profissionais de saúde, permanece um grande desafio. Estudos mencionam que o não cumprimento das diretrizes é um problema universal, e para desenvolver intervenções bem-sucedidas, são necessárias mais pesquisas sobre os determinantes comportamentais. Diante disso este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a adesão às práticas de prevenção e controle de infecção dos (PAS) que atuam em UTI, tais como: cuidados de manipulação e curativo de cateteres venosos centrais (CVC) e manipulação direta do paciente e de seu ambiente próximo e investigar uma possível correlação entre a adesão dos PAS e o desempenho de seus testes psicológicos que avaliaram seus Estilos de pensamento, Autoestima, Qualidade de vida, Estresse e Personalidade. Realizou-se um estudo observacional, prospectivo, no período de julho de 2012 a dezembro de 2013 em quatro Unidades de Terapia Intensiva em um grande hospital escola. Foram realizadas 7.572 observações distribuídas entre as práticas selecionadas de 248 profissionais que atuaram em quatro UTIs, constituídos por médicos e enfermeiros (auxiliares de enfermagem, técnicos de enfermagem e enfermeiros). Para a equipe de enfermagem a proporção de adesão para o procedimento de cuidados com a manipulação variou entre 13% e 95%, ficando com a menor adesão as etapas que envolveram a higienização das mãos (HM) antes de manipular o cateter e a desinfecção da conexão do CVC. Para o procedimento de cuidados com o curativo do CVC a proporção de adesão variou entre 14% e 99%, ficando com a menor adesão novamente as etapas que envolveram a HM antes de iniciar a troca do curativo do CVC. Para avaliação da equipe médica foi observada a adesão à HM das mãos nos cinco momentos propostos pela OMS. A proporção de adesão variou entre 10% e 98%. Observou-se menor taxa de adesão para os momentos \"Antes do contato direto com o paciente\", \"Após contato com ambiente próximo ao paciente\" e \"Antes de procedimentos assépticos\". Utilizou-se um modelo de regressão logística ajustado para avaliar a associação entre à adesão às práticas de controle de infecção e os testes psicológicos dos profissionais de saúde e apenas a autoestima e aspectos de personalidade (agressão, assistência, deferência, afago e afiliação) obtiveram associação com a adesão às práticas de controle de infecção. Conhecer fatores biopsicossociais (características de personalidade e autoestima) capazes de gerar comportamentos que influenciam o ato de adesão dos PAS às práticas de controle de infecção, pode ser um passo importante para projetar estratégias de intervenção mais eficientes para modificar o comportamento dos profissionais de saúde e aumentar as boas práticas / Health care-associated infections (HAI) consistently challenge the quality of care provided in the health system as a whole. Despite knowledge about hospital infection, its origins, associated factors and the general measures of prevention and control, usually a low adherence of healthcare professional to preventive measures is observed. There are several scientifically-based preventive measures, however the use of these guidelines by health professionals remains a major challenge. Studies point out that failure to comply with the guidelines is a universal problem and for successful interventions to be developed further research on behavioral determinants is needed. The objective of this study was: -to evaluate the adherence to the prevention and infection control practices by healthcare professionals working in ICUs, during procedures such as handling and dressing of central venous catheters (CVC), and direct manipulation of the patient and the close environment to the patient; and -to investigate a possible correlation between adherence of healthcare professionals and their performance in psychological tests (Styles of Thought, Self Esteem, Quality of Life, Stress and Personality). An observational, prospective study was carried out from July 2012 to December 2013 in four Intensive Care Units in a large teaching hospital. A total of 7,572 observations was made, for 248 healthcare professionals who worked in four ICUs. These were doctors and nurses (nurse assistants, nurse technicians and registered nurses). For the nursing team the proportion of adherence to adequate procedures involving CVC manipulation varied between 13% and 95%. The steps with smaller adhesion were: hand hygiene (HM) before beginning the CVC manipulation and disinfection of the CVC hub. For the CVC dressing, adherence varied between 14% and 99%. Lowest adherence was observed for HM before beginning the dressing. For doctors, hand hygiene was observed during the five moments proposed by the WHO. Compliance varied between 10% and 98%. Lowest compliance was observed for the moments: \" Before direct contact with the patient \",\" After contact with environment close to the patient \"and\" Before aseptic procedure \". An adjusted regression logistics model was used to evaluate the correlation between adherence to infection control practices by the healthcare professionals and their psychological tests. Self-esteem and aspects of personality (aggression, attendance, affiliation and cuddle) were associated with compliance. We believe that knowing biopsychosocial factors (personality traits and self-esteem) that may influence adherence of healthcare professionals to infection control practices can be an important step to develop more efficient intervention strategies to modify behavior and increase quality of care for patients

The purpose of the study was to develop practice guidelines to promote adherence to infection control standards in a specific hospital in Manzini, Swaziland. It was a qualitative, descriptive and explanatory design which utilised an in-depth unstructured face to face interview data collection method done to nine (9) registered nurse participants. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to identify prominent themes and patterns, smaller units of data were named and coded according to the contents they represented. Four themes emerged from data analysis, they were; working environment for nurses, nurse’s descriptions of infection control standards, nurse’s challenges regarding adherence to infection control standards and nurses expressed needs. The findings revealed possible contributing factors to non-adherence to infection control standards by participants and therefore denoted to a serious need for development of general guidelines to promote adherence to infection control standards, these guidelines were presented. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

Nas duas últimas décadas, várias espécies de Candida têm surgido como importantes patógenos hospitalares, no mundo e no Brasil. A identificação da origem da infecção tem importância na definição de estratégias de prevenção e controle. As estratégias para a prevenção de candidíase endógena podem focar, parcialmente, em métodos para redução da colonização de mucosas, por exemplo, a restrição ao uso de antibióticos de largo espectro. Entretanto, nos casos nos quais está envolvida uma fonte exógena, um expressivo reforço, na melhoria da qualidade das práticas de assistência à saúde, é prioritário para prevenção da transmissão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar diferentes sítios de colonização por Candida como potenciais fontes de candidemia. O estudo foi desenvolvido em 3 hospitais no Brasil: Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo, hospital universitário de nível terciário de complexidade, com mil leitos; o Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, um hospital com 200 leitos, referência para todo o Estado de São Paulo; e o Hospital Geral de Itapecerica da Serra, hospital de cuidados secundários da Grande São Paulo. Foram incluídos no estudo os pacientes com isolamento de Candida em hemocultura obtida de veia periférica após 48 horas de admissão hospitalar. As culturas de vigilância para Candida foram colhidas dos seguintes sítios: urina, reto, cavidade oral, pele (virilha e axila), pele ao redor do cateter e ponta de cateter caso disponível. A tipagem molecular foi realizada quando a mesma espécie de Candida (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata) foi isolada no sangue e nos sítios de vigilância do mesmo paciente. A eletroforese em campo pulsado foi realizada para os isolados de C. albicans, C. parapsilosis e C. glabrata. A amplificação de segmentos polimórficos do DNA foi realizada para C. albicans e C. tropicalis. No total 63 pacientes consecutivos com candidemia foram incluídos no estudo no período de maio de 2004 a outubro de 2005. C. albicans foi isolada em 42% das hemoculturas, C. parapsilosis em 35%, C. tropicalis em 16%, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. glabrata, e C. holmii, em 2% cada uma. Unicamente seis dos 10 isolados de ponta de cateter apresentaram perfil eletroforético idêntico aos isolados de C. parapsilosis do sangue. Os isolados de C. albicans do sangue e de culturas de vigilância do trato gastrintestinal correspondentes, oriundos de 12 pacientes, apresentaram genótipos idênticos. Os resultados sugerem que a colonização do trato gastrintestinal é a provável fonte de candidemia por C. albicans e que a candidemia por C. parasilosis é de origem exógena. / In the last two decades, Candida spp. have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens in the world and in Brazil. The identification of the source of infection is important in approaching prevention and control strategies. Strategies for the prevention of endogenous candidiasis may focus, to a certain extent, on methods for reducing mucosal colonization, for example limitation use of wide-spectrum antibiotics. However, in cases in which an exogenous source is involved, the aggressive reinforcement of adequate healthcare practices is mandatory to prevent transmission. The objective of this study was to evaluate different Candida colonization sites as potential sources for Candida fungemia. The study was done in 3 hospitals in Brazil: the Central Institute of Hospital das Clinicas, a 1000-bed tertiary-care hospital affiliated to the University of São Paulo; the Institute Emilio Ribas, a 200-bed infectious diseases hospital, reference for all the state of São Paulo; and the General Hospital of Itapecerica da Serra, a secondary-care community hospital located in area of the greater São Paulo. The patients with a positive blood culture for Candida, collected from a peripheral vein, were included in the study if they had to be hospitalized for 48 hours or more before candidemia. The following surveillance cultures for Candida were collected from: urine, rectum, oropharynx, skin (groin and axilla), skin around the catheter and catheter tip if available. Molecular typing was performed when the same species of Candida (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata) was isolated from the blood and from surveillance sites of a single patient. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed for C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata isolates. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA was performed for C. albicans and C. tropicalis. A total of 63 consecutive patients with candidemia were included in the period from May 2004 to October 2005. C. albicans comprised 42% of the blood isolates, C. parapsilosis 35%, C. tropicalis 16%, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. glabrata, and C. holmii, 2% each. Six of the 10 isolates from catheter tips presented identical electrophoretic profiles to corresponding C. parapsilosis blood cultures and no other surveillance sites were related. C. albicans isolates from blood and from corresponding gastrointestinal surveillance sites from 12 patients presented identical genotypes. In conclusion, our results suggest that tract gastrointestinal colonization is the probable source of C. albicans candidemia and that C. parapsilosis candidemia is not endogenous.

The literature directly comparing the epidemiology of MRSA among adult and pediatric hospitalized patients is strikingly minimal. The objective of this thesis was to identify any differences between these two patient groups. The Canadian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Program MRSA data (1995 to 2007: n=1,262 pediatric and 35,907 adult cases) were used to compare MRSA clinical and molecular characteristics and rates. Hospital characteristics were modeled using repeated measures Poisson regressions. The molecular and epidemiological characteristics of MRSA differed significantly between adults and children. Compared to children, MRSA in adults was more likely to be healthcare-associated, colonization, SCCmec type II, PVL negative, and resistant to most antibiotics. Rates of MRSA in Canada increased in both populations over time but were significantly higher in adults. The hospital characteristics associated with increased MRSA rates differed in adult and pediatric facilities. Implications for infection prevention and control strategies are discussed.

The literature directly comparing the epidemiology of MRSA among adult and pediatric hospitalized patients is strikingly minimal. The objective of this thesis was to identify any differences between these two patient groups. The Canadian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Program MRSA data (1995 to 2007: n=1,262 pediatric and 35,907 adult cases) were used to compare MRSA clinical and molecular characteristics and rates. Hospital characteristics were modeled using repeated measures Poisson regressions. The molecular and epidemiological characteristics of MRSA differed significantly between adults and children. Compared to children, MRSA in adults was more likely to be healthcare-associated, colonization, SCCmec type II, PVL negative, and resistant to most antibiotics. Rates of MRSA in Canada increased in both populations over time but were significantly higher in adults. The hospital characteristics associated with increased MRSA rates differed in adult and pediatric facilities. Implications for infection prevention and control strategies are discussed.