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Updated: Mar 11, 2026

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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Foot Osteomyelitis.
Chester N Ashong1, Shazia A Raheem1, Andrew S Hunter1
11 Department of Pharmacy, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center . Houston, Texas.
Surgical Infections
|November 30, 2016
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) did not significantly impact treatment failure in diabetic foot osteomyelitis. This suggests empiric MRSA antibiotic coverage may not be necessary for many patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Podiatry
Background:
- Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) treatment is complex, with conflicting data on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) impact.
- MRSA's role in DFO outcomes like healing time, surgical needs, and treatment failure requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate MRSA's significance in predicting DFO treatment failure.
- To guide appropriate antibiotic regimens for DFO, considering MRSA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 178 DFO episodes meeting specific inclusion criteria.
- Exclusion of patients receiving long-term parenteral antibiotics or major amputation as initial treatment.
- Primary objective: assess if MRSA presence correlates with higher treatment failure rates.
Main Results:
- Overall treatment failure rate was 28.1% (50/178 episodes).
- MRSA was present in 28.1% of treatment failures and 39.0% of successful treatments.
- No statistically significant association found between MRSA presence and treatment failure (p=0.99).
Conclusions:
- MRSA in bone cultures and anti-MRSA antibiotic use did not correlate with increased DFO treatment failure.
- Empiric MRSA antibiotic coverage may not be routinely required for DFO management.

