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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Invasive MRSA infections in neurosurgical patients - a decade of progress
Mairéad Skally1, Caoimhe Finn2, David O'Brien3
1a Department of Clinical Microbiology , Beaumont Hospital , Dublin , Ireland.
Background:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of bloodstream infection (BSI), which is declining in many countries, including Ireland. However, it also causes other invasive infections, such as meningitis in neurosurgical patients. It is unclear whether the decline in MRSA BSI is reflected in other invasive infections and in specialist units.
Aim:
To investigate trends in the incidence of MRSA invasive infection in a national neurosurgical centre over a 10-year period.
Methods:
A retrospective review of neurosurgical patients with MRSA recovered from sterile sites and indicating invasive infection, according to internationally agreed definitions was conducted between January 2006 and December 2015. Rates per 10,000 bed days used (BDU) and neurosurgical bed days used (NBDU) were calculated and trends were analysed.
Results:
Forty-four cases of invasive MRSA infection were identified over the study period. The majority were BSI (26, 59%) followed by ventriculitis (8, 18%). Invasive MRSA infections declined significantly from 0.52 per 10,000 BDU (or 4.65 per 10,000 NBU) in 2006 to 0.22 per 10,000 BDU (or 2.04 per 10,000 NBDU) in 2015, p < .01, despite an increase in neurosurgical clinical activity. Half of the infections occurred in patients with no previous history of MRSA colonisation/infection. The mean length-of-stay for neurosurgical patients with invasive MRSA infections was 67 days (median 32.5 days), significantly greater for other neurosurgical patients (p < .01).
Conclusion:
There has been a significant decrease in invasive MRSA infections in neurosurgical patients, reflecting national and international trends for MRSA BSI. This indicates that infection prevention and control measures have been effective in reducing invasive MRSA infections overall, thus contributing to improved patient care.
Insights
Invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in neurosurgical patients significantly decreased over ten years. This decline in MRSA infections suggests infection control measures are effective in reducing patient harm.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes bloodstream infections (BSI) and invasive infections like meningitis in neurosurgical patients.
- While MRSA BSI rates are declining globally, trends in other invasive MRSA infections, particularly in specialized units, remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence trends of invasive MRSA infections within a national neurosurgical center over a decade (2006-2015).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of neurosurgical patients with MRSA from sterile sites, indicating invasive infection.
- Calculated infection rates per 10,000 bed days used (BDU) and neurosurgical bed days used (NBDU).
- Analyzed trends in invasive MRSA infection rates over the 10-year study period.
Main Results:
- Identified 44 cases of invasive MRSA infection; bloodstream infections (BSI) were most common (59%), followed by ventriculitis (18%).
- Invasive MRSA infections significantly declined from 0.52/10,000 BDU in 2006 to 0.22/10,000 BDU in 2015 (p < .01).
- Patients with invasive MRSA infections had significantly longer hospital stays (mean 67 days) compared to other neurosurgical patients.
Conclusions:
- A significant reduction in invasive MRSA infections among neurosurgical patients was observed.
- This decrease mirrors national and international trends in MRSA BSI, indicating successful infection prevention and control strategies.
- Effective control measures have contributed to an overall reduction in invasive MRSA infections, improving patient care.
