Cheatham S, et al. - The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus on surfaces in nursing homes was determined, as was molecular information on contaminating strains. From nursing homes in seven different suburban, urban, and rural settings in Northeast Ohio, they got a total of 259 environmental samples. Researchers investigated the molecular types via the presence of the mecA and PVL genes and performing spa typing. Approximately a quarter of samples tested exhibited S aureus contamination in nursing homes. Nursing homes in urban areas displayed a higher prevalence of S aureus and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA). Nursing homes in rural locations had no MRSA. Molecular types related with healthcare (t002) and the community (t008) were most commonly identified.