Prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in residents of long-term care facilities in Luxembourg, 2010.

A prevalence survey of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was performed in 2010 in 19 long-term care facilities in Luxembourg. Of the 954 participating residents, 69 (7·2%) were colonized by MRSA. Previous history of MRSA [odds ratio (OR) 7·20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3·19-16·27], quinolone therapy in the previous year (OR 2·27, 95% CI 1·17-4·41) and ≥24 h care administered per week (OR 4·29, 95% CI 1·18-15·56) were independent risk factors for MRSA colonization. More than 75% of strains were of clonal complex (CC)5, mainly spa-type t003 or sequence type (ST)225 and ST710, which is a rapidly emerging lineage prevalent in central Europe. Five residents were colonized by livestock-associated genotypes belonging to CC398. Previously dominant CC8 strains have recently been replaced by more resistant CC5 strains in Luxembourg.

Characterization of surgical aerosols by the compact single-particle mass spectrometer LAMPAS 3.

A new method is presented using an optical particle counter and the compact mobile laser mass spectrometer LAMPAS 3 for in situ analysis of single particles generated by electrosurgical dissection of biological tissues. The instrumental performance is demonstrated for analysing aerosol particles formed during rapid thermal evaporation of porcine liver and porcine kidney tissues. Particle number concentrations of up to 5,000 particles per cubic centimetre were detected during surgical dissection. Chemical analysis of tissue particles was performed by bipolar time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The application of an online mass spectrometric particle analysis for surgical aerosols is reported here for the first time.