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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
12:18
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Methamphetamine use and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections
Adam L Cohen1, Carrie Shuler, Sigrid McAllister
1Respiratory Diseases Brabch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. alcohen1@cdc.gov
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|January 26, 2008
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are common in a rural community. Methamphetamine use significantly increases the risk of developing MRSA skin infections, suggesting potential transmission among users.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methamphetamine use are growing public health concerns.
- MRSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify risk factors for MRSA SSTIs in a rural southeastern US community.
- To investigate the association between methamphetamine use and MRSA SSTIs.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted.
- Case-patients had culturable SSTIs; controls had no SSTIs.
- Data on methamphetamine use and other factors were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- MRSA accounted for 68.1% of all identified SSTIs.
- Methamphetamine use was reported by 9.9% of case-patients versus 1.8% of controls.
- Adjusted analysis showed a significantly higher likelihood of recent methamphetamine use among MRSA SSTI patients (OR 5.10).
Conclusions:
- MRSA is the predominant cause of SSTIs in this population.
- Methamphetamine use is a significant risk factor for MRSA SSTIs.
- Findings suggest potential MRSA transmission pathways within the methamphetamine-using community.
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