Prolonged colonization with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300 among residents of extended

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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Simone M Shurland1, O Colin Stine, Richard A Venezia

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, Maryland 20201, USA.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|June 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Residents initially colonized with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 strain were not less likely to experience prolonged colonization compared to other MRSA strains. This retrospective study found no significant difference in prolonged MRSA colonization duration.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Healthcare-Associated Infections

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant pathogen in healthcare settings.
  • The USA300 strain is a prevalent MRSA genotype, particularly in community-associated infections.
  • Understanding colonization dynamics is crucial for infection control in extended care facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if initial colonization or infection with the MRSA USA300 strain influences the duration of prolonged colonization in extended care facility residents.
  • To compare prolonged colonization rates between residents infected with MRSA USA300 and those infected with other MRSA strains.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study design.
  • Involved 129 residents of extended care facilities.
  • Assessed duration of colonization based on initial MRSA strain (USA300 vs. other strains).

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant difference was observed in prolonged colonization between residents initially colonized with MRSA USA300 and those with other MRSA strains.
  • The adjusted odds ratio for prolonged colonization was 1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.5-2.4), indicating no increased likelihood for USA300.

Conclusions:

  • The specific MRSA strain, USA300, does not appear to be associated with a higher likelihood of prolonged colonization in extended care facility residents compared to other MRSA strains.
  • Findings suggest that infection control strategies for MRSA in these settings should not differentiate based on the USA300 strain regarding colonization duration.

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