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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

Recurring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in a football team

Dao M Nguyen1, Laurene Mascola, Elizabeth Brancoft

  • 1Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, California 90012, USA. daonguyen@ladhs.org

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused skin infections in a college football team. Sharing soap and having cuts increased infection risk, while hygiene education helped control the outbreak.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) outbreaks pose risks in close-contact settings.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are common manifestations of MRSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate an outbreak of MRSA SSTI in a college football team.
  • To identify risk factors for infection and nasal carriage.
  • To evaluate control measures.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive epidemiology of the outbreak.
  • Case-control and carrier-control studies.
  • Laboratory characterization of MRSA isolates (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis).

Main Results:

  • Eleven MRSA SSTI cases were identified, with boils as the most common sign.
  • Linemen had the highest attack rate (18%).
  • Sharing soap and pre-existing skin abrasions were associated with infection; locker proximity, towel sharing, and on-campus living were linked to nasal carriage.
  • All isolates were identified as the community-associated pulsed-field type USA300.

Conclusions:

  • Close-contact sports teams are vulnerable to MRSA SSTI outbreaks.
  • Personal hygiene practices and environmental factors play a significant role in transmission.
  • Targeted hygiene interventions, such as daily antiseptic showers and education, can effectively control MRSA outbreaks.

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