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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Management of patients with epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: experience at an infectious
Abstract:
Between January 1983 and April 1984 60 patients completed their admission to an infectious diseases unit for management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. All had been shown to be colonized with a particular epidemic strain (EMRSA), and most isolates were from the nose or from broken skin sites. Eight patients were thought to have systemic EMRSA infection, of whom three had bacteraemia. Ten of the 60 patients died of severe underlying disease, eight were discharged home well but still colonized with EMRSA, four never had positive isolates after admission, and the remaining 38 cleared their EMRSA colonization in an average of 2 months. Five patients had further isolates of EMRSA after three negative, weekly screening tests and one after four negative screenings. No patients had further isolates after five or more negative screening tests.
Insights
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in 60 patients was studied. Most patients cleared MRSA within two months, with five or more negative weekly screenings indicating successful eradication.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant nosocomial pathogen.
- Epidemic strains of MRSA (EMRSA) pose challenges in healthcare settings.
- Understanding colonization and clearance is crucial for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the colonization patterns and clearance rates of an epidemic strain of MRSA (EMRSA).
- To determine the duration of EMRSA colonization in patients admitted to an infectious diseases unit.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of screening protocols for EMRSA eradication.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 60 patients admitted between January 1983 and April 1984.
- Patients were screened for EMRSA colonization, primarily from nasal and skin sites.
- Weekly screening tests were used to monitor EMRSA clearance.
Main Results:
- 38 out of 60 patients cleared EMRSA colonization in an average of 2 months.
- 8 patients were discharged still colonized; 10 died from underlying conditions.
- No further isolates were detected after five or more negative weekly screening tests.
Conclusions:
- The majority of patients successfully cleared EMRSA colonization within a reasonable timeframe.
- Five or more consecutive negative weekly screening tests are a reliable indicator of EMRSA eradication.
- Effective management strategies can lead to successful EMRSA clearance in hospitalized patients.
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