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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

Antibiotic prescribing as a risk factor for MRSA

Mark H Wilcox1

  • 1Leeds General Infirmary and University of Leeds, Old Medical School, Leeds LS1 3EX.

Hospital Medicine (London, England : 1998)
|March 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Specific antibiotic classes increase the risk of selecting for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Controlled studies on antimicrobial prescribing interventions are needed to address MRSA expansion.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health concern.
  • Specific antibiotic classes are increasingly recognized as risk factors for MRSA selection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing evidence linking antimicrobial prescribing patterns to the expansion of MRSA.
  • To highlight the need for controlled studies on antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of current literature.
  • Analysis of observational and experimental studies on antibiotic use and MRSA prevalence.

Main Results:

  • Accumulating evidence supports a correlation between certain antibiotic classes and MRSA selection.
  • A critical lack of controlled studies evaluating the impact of antimicrobial prescribing interventions on MRSA rates.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial prescribing practices play a role in the emergence and spread of MRSA.
  • Further research focusing on controlled interventions is essential to mitigate MRSA expansion.

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