Antibiotic Substitution Ends Decade-Long NICU Tobramycin-Resistant S. aureus Outbreak

This retrospective outbreak investigation illustrates how empiric aminoglycoside substitution combined with infection control resolved a persistent tobramycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (TRSA) outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

tobramycinamikacinaminoglycosidespenicillin GStaphylococcus aureusTRSAMSSANICU outbreakantimicrobial stewardshipinfection preventionspa typingantibiotic rotationretrospective study Infectious Disease / Antimicrobials

Background Information

Targeted interventions halted a decade-long resistant bacteria outbreak in a NICU.

The study focuses on managing a Staphylococcus aureus outbreak in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), crucial for protecting vulnerable infants from antibiotic-resistant infections. The prevalence of tobramycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (TRSA) decreased significantly after implementing hygiene and antibiotic regimen changes, with no cases of TRSA septicemia post-intervention. The findings illustrate the importance of environmental controls and appropriate antibiotic use in managing resistant bacteria in NICUs. Limitations include a single-center focus and retrospective analysis. Comprehensive infection control measures successfully managed a NICU outbreak of tobramycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

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Authors: Jogenfors A, Mernelius S, Löfgren S, Bengnér M, Bengnér J, Ingemansson F, Wetterbrandt S, Matussek A

Citation: Jogenfors A, Mernelius S, Löfgren S, et al. Combatting a Tobramycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit: the impact of hygiene intervention and antibiotic substitution. BMC infectious diseases. 2026;26(1). doi:10.1186/s12879-026-14481-2

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI · Free Full Text (PMC)

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