Abstract

Follow-up studies on the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Dutch hospitals were continued in 1990. The number of MRSA-isolates in 1990 compared to 1989 is approximately the same. Phage-type pattern and antibiogram were determined for 168 MRSA-isolates from 42 hospitals. Based on epidemiological knowledge the MRSA-strains of 1989 and 1990 can be subdivided into three groups. Six MRSA phage-types were found in more than one hospital (epidemic types) and five MRSA phage-types were found more than once in one hospital (endemic types). Other MRSA-strains have not spread in Dutch hospitals (sporadic types). The antibiograms of the most prevalent phage-types in 1990 are given in this paper. The origin of all new MRSA phage-types in 1990 has been assessed. In many cases a preceding admission to a foreign hospital or a Dutch nursinghome was observed before the introduction of the "new" MRSA-strain. The percentage of new MRSA-strains in Dutch hospitals is relatively low compared to the percentages in foreign hospitals. There is no data on the prevalence of multiresistant microorganisms (e.g. MRSA) in Dutch nursinghomes. Thorough patient registration, good inter-doctor communication and proper hygiene are all important factors in limitating hospital epidemics caused by MRSA-strains.