[The importance of detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an intensive care setting]

In recent years, the fight against nosocomial infections has constituted a major public health challenge. Measures aimed at preventing the spread of multiresistant bacteria (MRB) through carriage combine the more or less systematic detection of carriers and precautions concerning isolation. In the light of published data, elements for the evaluation of a cost-efficiency ratio for measures concerning detection and isolation in intensive care are presented. The high levels of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) observed in hospitals constitute the principal target. Although isolation precautions appear to be effective, the value of detecting MRSA remains a subject of debate. Such detection has several objectives: the identification of carriers, assistance in the implementation of isolation precautions, the eradication of carriage and the evaluation of strategy. These different objectives are discussed.