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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

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) colonization and infection in intravenous

Amany El-Sharif1, Hossam M Ashour

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, Cairo 11562, Egypt.

Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|May 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Drug abuse significantly increases the risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection, particularly in opiate addicts. This high-risk group may act as a reservoir for community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital and community infections.
  • Drug abuse is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that drug abuse is a risk factor for community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infection.
  • To determine the prevalence and location of MRSA colonization and infection in opiate addicts compared to non-addicts.

Main Methods:

  • A rapid multiplex PCR technique was used for MRSA identification.
  • MRSA isolates were analyzed from 60 opiate addicts (intravenous and inhalational drug users), 60 non-addict patients, and 15 healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • MRSA colonization and/or infection rates were significantly higher in opiate addicts than in non-addict patients.
  • MRSA nasal carriage was significantly more prevalent in addicts than carriage elsewhere.
  • The duration of addiction and both inhalational and intravenous drug use were associated with increased CA-MRSA colonization.

Conclusions:

  • Drug abusers represent a high-risk group for MRSA infections and colonization.
  • Opiate addicts serve as a significant reservoir for CA-MRSA, potentially contributing to its spread in the non-addict population.

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