MRSA transmission in ICUs: Genomic analysis of patients, their environments and healthcare workers. Staphylococcus aureus

MRSA strains are a significant ICU pathogen. Healthcare worker contamination may lead to cross-transmission. 413 MRSA genomes were sequenced from isolates obtained from patients, healthcare workers and environmental samples. Six clusters of USA100 and USA300 MRSA strains were identified that contained more than one isolate from patient, environmental, and HCW isolates, suggesting spread of MRSA among patient, environmental and HCW. Whole genome sequencing allowed identification of opportunities for possible spread of MRSA strains within and between ICUs.