Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms in migrant children admitted to an Italian cardiac surgery department, 2015-2016

Screening on hospital admission to identify multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization is a frequently discussed topic. We report the results of microbiological screening in 141 Italian and 354 migrant children candidates for cardiac surgery conducted in 2015-2016. In all, 25% of Italian children and more than 65.4% of African and Romanian children carried at least one MDRO (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; extended-spectrum β-lactamase enzymes; carbapenemase producers; and vancomycin-resistant enterococci). Based on our findings, we propose that non-geographically limited approaches are needed to improve infection prevention and control.