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Staphylococcus aureus resistant to fusidic acid among Swedish children: a follow-up study

A Osterlund1, G Kahlmeter, S Haeggman

  • 1Department of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Landstingshuset, Luleå, Sweden.

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

The epidemic of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Swedish children is declining. Despite reduced prescriptions, this resistant strain remains prevalent but is now decreasing.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • An epidemic of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was previously identified in children with bullous impetigo in Sweden.
  • Fusidic acid resistance in S. aureus poses a significant challenge in treating skin infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of reduced fusidic acid prescriptions on the prevalence of resistant S. aureus.
  • To track the ongoing trend of the fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus epidemic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of S. aureus prevalence and fusidic acid prescription data.
  • Monitoring of fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus clone prevalence over time.

Main Results:

  • Swedish clinicians significantly reduced fusidic acid ointment prescriptions in 2002, likely in response to the epidemic.
  • The fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus clone dominant in 2001 remained the most prevalent resistant strain.
  • The epidemic peaked in 2002 and is now showing a clear decline.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced fusidic acid use may have contributed to the decline of the epidemic.
  • Continued surveillance is necessary to monitor resistant S. aureus strains.
  • The prevalence of fusidic acid-resistant S. aureus is decreasing in Sweden.

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