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Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Invasive CA-MRSA in northwestern Ontario: a 2-year prospective study
Mike Kirlew1, Sara Rea2, Annette Schroeter2
1Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
Introduction:
Northwestern Ontario has a documented high rate of skin and soft-tissue infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Recently, invasive illness from this common pathogen has become a serious clinical problem in the region. We sought to better understand this trend of invasive CA-MRSA.
Methods:
We prospectively studied cases of positive CA-MRSA bacteremia in 2012 and 2013. We examined genetic typing, comorbidities and outcomes.
Results:
Twenty-three cases of CA-MRSA bacteremia were treated during the 2-year study period. Intravenous drug use accounted for only 17% of cases. One death and 2 cases of endocarditis occurred.
Conclusion:
High rates of CA-MRSA in skin and soft-tissue infections, combined with poor living conditions and poor access to potable water, may account for most of these cases of CA-MRSA bacteremia. Social determinants of health are relevant when common resistant bacterial isolates become associated with life-threatening illness.
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