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12:18
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
The throat: an important site for MRSA colonization.
Håkan Ringberg1, Ann Cathrine Petersson, Mats Walder
1Regional Centre for Communicable Disease Control, Skåne County, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|September 30, 2006
Summary
Throat cultures are valuable for screening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study shows the throat is an important MRSA reservoir, recommending its inclusion in patient screening protocols.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health concern.
- Identifying reservoirs for MRSA is crucial for effective infection control.
- Previous screening protocols have focused on skin lesions and anterior nares.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of bacterial cultures from the throat for MRSA detection.
- To determine the significance of the throat as an MRSA reservoir.
- To assess the utility of throat sampling in MRSA screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 266 patients with MRSA.
- Assessment of MRSA detection sites, including skin lesions, anterior nares, and throat.
- Analysis of throat colonization in patients with known MRSA contact.
Main Results:
- The throat was a frequent site for MRSA detection (38%) and isolation (17% as the sole site).
- In patients with known MRSA contact, throat positivity was high (53%), with 33% showing throat as the only positive site.
- Over half (55%) of patients were colonized with MRSA in the throat at some point.
Conclusions:
- The throat serves as a significant reservoir for MRSA.
- Throat cultures should be incorporated into routine MRSA screening protocols.
- Including throat sampling may improve the detection rates and control of MRSA transmission.
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