Enteral feeding tubes are a reservoir for nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens

Background: Patients and their surroundings are known reservoirs for nosocomial pathogens. Enteral feeding tubes and formula are not thought of as reservoirs for nosocomial organisms. Methods: A prospective observation study was conducted comparing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) cultured from nosocomial infections and MRSA/VRE cultured from enteral feeding tubes used in the same neonatal intensive care unit during the same time period but in different babies. DNA fingerprinting then was used to compare MRSA and VRE cultured from feeding tubes with MRSA/VRE isolates cultured from clinical infections. Results: There were 23 S aureus isolates; 12 of 23 were methicillin resistant (MRSA). There were 4 MRSA infections in patients without feeding tubes. DNA fingerprinting showed that the MRSA species causing each of the clinical infections also was found in the feeding tubes of other babies. There were no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infections during the study period. Conclusion: Feeding tubes are a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant pathogens that can be transmitted to other infants.