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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
12:18
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
23.8K
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in the hand
Bridget Harrison1, Oded Ben-Amotz, Douglas M Sammer
1Dallas, Texas From the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|February 27, 2015
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) hand infections are increasingly common. Treatment involves surgical drainage and, if needed, antibiotics covering MRSA when local prevalence is high.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hand Surgery
- Dermatology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a growing cause of skin and soft-tissue infections.
- MRSA infections of the hand represent a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize recent literature on MRSA hand infections.
- To provide an overview of the epidemiology, presentation, and treatment of these infections.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of English-language literature.
- Synthesis of information on history, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Community-acquired MRSA hand infections have rapidly increased in the last 20 years.
- MRSA is now the predominant cause of purulent hand infections in the United States.
Conclusions:
- Surgical drainage is the primary treatment for purulent hand infections.
- Empiric antibiotic coverage for MRSA is recommended when local prevalence exceeds 10-15%.
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