Surveillance for Colonization, Transmission, and Infection With Methicillin-Susceptible <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The findings of this cohort study suggest that nasal colonization is a relevant risk factor for S aureus infection in a nonoutbreak NICU setting. In colonized newborns, infection and colonization isolates were genetically identical, suggesting that eradication of colonization may be a useful measure to prevent infection. Further investigations are necessary to validate and assess the generalizability of our findings.