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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community-acquired pyoderma

Umashankar Nagaraju1, Gopalkrishna Bhat, Maria Kuruvila

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka State, India.

International Journal of Dermatology
|June 10, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is emerging in community-acquired infections in India. High nasal carriage rates of MRSA in pyoderma patients suggest a need for antimicrobial stewardship to curb its spread.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in healthcare settings and increasingly in the community.
  • Reports of MRSA in community-acquired infections within India are infrequent, necessitating further investigation.
  • Pyoderma represents a common community-acquired infection where MRSA may be prevalent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of MRSA in patients with community-acquired pyoderma.
  • To assess the rate of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in these patients.
  • To understand the epidemiological link between nasal carriage and skin infections.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 250 patients with community-acquired pyoderma in South India.
  • Collection of swabs from skin lesions and anterior nares for bacterial culture.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion, agar dilution, and agar screen methods.

Main Results:

  • Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 80.8% of pyoderma cases.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 10.9% of S. aureus isolates.
  • Nasal colonization with S. aureus was found in 54.4% of patients, with 11.8% carrying MRSA.

Conclusions:

  • The findings indicate the emergence of MRSA in community-acquired infections in the study region.
  • A high rate of nasal carriage of S. aureus, including MRSA, may contribute to recurrent pyoderma.
  • Implementing appropriate antimicrobial policies and judicious antibiotic use is crucial to control MRSA dissemination in the community.

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