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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Tonsillectomy for persistent MRSA carriage in the throat-Description of three cases
Renske E M Labordus-van Helvoirt1, Miranda M L van Rijen2, Peter van Wijngaarden1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Amphia Hospital, CK Breda, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
In several countries, including the Netherlands, a search and destroy policy is part of the standard of care. Due to this policy and the restrictive use of antibiotics, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Netherlands - carrier state and infections - is among the lowest in the world. In the Netherlands, healthcare workers who are MRSA carriers are not allowed to perform work involving direct patient care. This means that treatment failure can have major implications for their working career. Despite repeated treatments according to guidelines, the eradication of MRSA fails in a minority of cases. It appears that performing a tonsillectomy can be part of the solution to this problem. As yet, tonsillectomy is not recommended as supplementary treatment for persistent MRSA carriage in the throat. There are a few expert opinions suggesting that tonsillectomy could possibly be helpful in decolonization. This article reports three recent cases in which MRSA eradication was successful only after tonsillectomy. It is believed that if eradication is necessary, tonsillectomy, if applicable, should be considered.
Insights
Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in healthcare workers can be challenging to eradicate. Tonsillectomy may offer a solution for MRSA decolonization when standard treatments fail.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- The Netherlands employs a successful 'search and destroy' policy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resulting in low prevalence.
- MRSA carriage in healthcare workers prohibits direct patient care, impacting careers if eradication fails.
Observation:
- Standard MRSA eradication treatments fail in a minority of persistent carrier cases.
- Tonsillectomy is not a standard treatment for persistent MRSA throat carriage but is being explored.
Findings:
- This article presents three cases where MRSA eradication was achieved only after tonsillectomy.
- Successful MRSA decolonization was observed post-tonsillectomy in these specific cases.
Implications:
- Tonsillectomy may be a viable supplementary treatment for difficult-to-eradicate MRSA carriage.
- Considering tonsillectomy could improve treatment outcomes for healthcare workers with persistent MRSA infections.
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