Whole-Genome Sequencing for Outbreak Investigations of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Time for Routine Practice?

摘要

BACKGROUNDInfants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at increased risk for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition. Outbreaks may be difficult to identify due in part to limitations in current molecular genotyping available in clinical practice. Comparison of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may identify epidemiologically distinct isolates among a population sample that appears homogenous when evaluated using conventional typing methods.