Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Gyms: Evaluation of Swabbing-Based Sampling Methodologies and the Levels of MSSA/MRSA on Environmental Surfaces within Recreational Exercise Facilities
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging infectious bacterial pathogen which is a leader in the causes of nosocomial infections. Overtime, this pathogen has transitioned from association primarily with healthcare settings to association with community-acquired infections (CA-MRSA) as well. As CA-MRSA prevalence has risen, its outbreaks have been linked to common environmental sources; prompting interest in the environment as a potential means of its dissemination. To investigate this risk in gyms, four types of sampling devices were evaluated. The findings were used to create an environmental sampling protocol, with the goal of estimating the prevalence of MRSA. Sampling was by swabbing a surface area with a moistened gauze wipe, enrichment culture of recovered wipe fluid, platting of enrichment cultures on differential/selective media and colony isolation and identification. Of 8 facilities sampled, 5 had MRSA (1.69-10% prevalence) and the overall MRSA prevalence for all samples was 4.5%.Master of Science in Public Healt
