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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Characteristics and outcomes of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical-site infections in patients with
Roy F Chemaly1, Ray Y Hachem, Rola N Husni
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, Unit 402, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. rfchemaly@mdanderson.org
Background:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We experienced an increased incidence of MRSA surgical-site infections (MRSA SSIs) at our institution. However, to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the risk factors and outcomes of MRSA SSIs in cancer patients.
Methods:
We conducted a case-control study and identified all patients who had developed MRSA SSIs at our institution from July 1, 2002 to July 30, 2003, and all patients who had undergone surgery by the same surgical team during the same time period but who had not developed MRSA SSIs. Cases and controls were age-matched at 1:2 ratio.
Results:
The study included 29 cases and 58 controls. Mean interval between surgery and MRSA SSI onset was 17.8 days (range 3-75 days). Cases were more likely than controls to have progressive cancer (72 versus 38%), have received antibiotics (mainly quinolones) within 24 h of surgery (17 versus 2%), have had ongoing infection (10 versus 0%), and have had longer hospital and intensive care unit stays (11.0 versus 7.8 days and 3.4 versus 1.5 days) (all P < 0.05). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of MRSA SSI in cancer patients were antibiotics use <24 h of surgery and progressive cancer. No surgical factors (i.e., procedure time or timing of perioperative antibiotics) were associated with increased risk of MRSA SSI.
Conclusions:
Several clinical and postoperative factors were associated with increased risk of MRSA SSI in cancer patients, but antibiotic use before surgery (especially quinolones) and progressive cancer were the only independent predictors.
Insights
Antibiotic use before surgery and progressive cancer are key risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) surgical-site infections (SSIs) in cancer patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections pose significant morbidity and mortality risks.
- An increase in MRSA surgical-site infections (SSIs) was observed at the institution.
- No prior studies focused on MRSA SSI risk factors and outcomes specifically in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk factors and outcomes associated with MRSA SSIs in cancer patients.
- To identify predictors of MRSA SSI development in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted between July 2002 and July 2003.
- 29 patients with MRSA SSIs (cases) were matched with 58 patients who underwent surgery without MRSA SSIs (controls) at a 1:2 ratio.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors.
Main Results:
- Progressive cancer (72% vs 38%) and pre-operative antibiotic use (17% vs 2%) were more common in MRSA SSI cases.
- Cases had longer hospital and ICU stays.
- Independent predictors for MRSA SSI in cancer patients were pre-operative antibiotic use within 24 hours of surgery and progressive cancer.
Conclusions:
- Clinical and postoperative factors increase MRSA SSI risk in cancer patients.
- Antibiotic use before surgery (especially quinolones) and progressive cancer are independent predictors of MRSA SSIs.
- Surgical factors were not associated with increased MRSA SSI risk.
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