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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
External ocular infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
V A Shanmuganathan1, M Armstrong, A Buller
1Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK. vijay_shan2000@yahoo.co.uk
Eye (London, England)
|September 18, 2004
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rarely causes external eye infections in the UK, primarily affecting patients with underlying health issues. These MRSA strains show specific sensitivities to antibiotics like chloramphenicol.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- External ocular infections pose a significant challenge in ophthalmic care.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common causative agent of eye infections.
- The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), necessitates understanding its role in ocular infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of MRSA in external ocular infections.
- To describe the clinical characteristics of MRSA-related eye infections.
- To investigate antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of MRSA isolates in an ophthalmic hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient case notes.
- Inclusion criteria: culture-proven external ocular Staphylococcal infections.
- Data collection over a 44-month period.
Main Results:
- Out of 548 Staphylococcus aureus infections, 17 (3%) were MRSA positive.
- Conjunctivitis was the most common presentation (six patients).
- All MRSA isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, but resistant to ofloxacin in patients over 50.
- Patients often had pre-existing ocular surface disease, malignancy, or debilitating medical conditions.
Conclusions:
- MRSA is currently an infrequent cause of external ocular infections in the UK.
- Patients with MRSA eye infections typically have underlying ocular risk factors or are medically compromised.
- Distinct MRSA strains may affect different age groups with characteristic antimicrobial resistance profiles.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of MRSA in ocular commensalism and infection.
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