Prevalence of Molecular Types and mecA Gene Carriage of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Relation to Nosocomial Septicemia

Molecular typing of isolates revealed that neonatal coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CONS) septicemia is most frequently caused by predominant, antibiotic-resistant CONS types, which are widely distributed among both neonates and staff of the neonatal unit, suggesting cross-contamination. Therefore, infection control measures may be valuable in the prevention of this common nosocomial septicemia.