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Am J Perinatol 2011; 28(9): 673-676
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1276732
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Rectovaginal Staphylococcus aureus Colonization: Is it a Neonatal Threat?

Mark W. Tomlinson1 , 2 , Nicole M. Schmidt1 , J. William Rourke1 , John McDonald1
  • 1Women's and Children's Program, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Oregon
  • 2Northwest Perinatal/Women's Healthcare Associates, Portland, Oregon
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Publication History



Publication Date:
03 May 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We sought to determine the rate of Staphylococcus aureus rectovaginal colonization and positive newborn blood cultures. Routinely obtained group B streptococcus (GBS) rectovaginal specimens were cultured for S. aureus using standard microbiology procedures. S. aureus– and GBS-positive blood cultures in infants less than 3 days old were determined from our microbiology database. Overall, 1488 rectovaginal cultures were obtained. Rates of positive GBS, S. aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) cultures were 20.2%, 8.2%, and 1.7%, respectively. Cultures were positive for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and GBS or MRSA and GBS in 1.6% and 0.3% of women, respectively. There was no association between GBS and MSSA or MRSA. From 1998 to 2008, there were four positive S. aureus blood cultures (0.4/10,000 live births). The rate of early onset GBS-positive blood cultures was 2.8/10,000 live births. S. aureus rectovaginal colonization at 35 to 37 weeks is relatively uncommon and currently does not appear to pose a significant risk of early onset neonatal sepsis.

KEYWORDS

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - Staphylococcus aureus, neonatal infection - Staphylococcus aureus rectovaginal colonization

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Mark W TomlinsonM.D. 

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Portland, OR 97225

Email: mwtomlinson@comcast.net