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07:46
Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis: The Grady Memorial Hospital Experience
Matthew Sherwood1, Dustin Smith, Ryan Crisel
1Emory University School of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, and the Emory Center for Outcomes Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|February 16, 2006
Summary
Outcomes for Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis were similar between methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) strains. Further research is needed to confirm if nosocomial infections increase MRSA endocarditis risk.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of endocarditis.
- High mortality rates persist for S aureus endocarditis.
- Increasing prevalence of methicillin resistance in S aureus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare outcomes of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) endocarditis with methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) endocarditis.
- To investigate potential risk factors for MRSA endocarditis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 283 patients with suspected endocarditis over 4 years.
- Echocardiography used for diagnosis.
- Comparison of demographic data, morbidity, and mortality between MRSA (n=14) and MSSA (n=27) positive cases.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in baseline characteristics between MRSA and MSSA groups.
- Similar outcomes regarding surgery, death, and complications for both groups.
- A trend suggested MRSA infections were more often nosocomial.
Conclusions:
- Outcomes for MRSA and MSSA endocarditis appear comparable.
- Nosocomial infection may be a risk factor for MRSA endocarditis.
- Larger studies are required to validate these findings.
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