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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 9, 2011

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Outbreak of clonal complex 22 Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mark I Garvey1, Craig W Bradley1, Kerry L Holden1

  • 1University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK.

Journal of Infection Prevention
|January 11, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A hospital outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin-producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spread among five patients due to inadequate infection control. Enhanced cleaning and patient decolonisation were key to control.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare epidemiology
  • Infectious disease control
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nosocomial outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose significant risks in healthcare settings.
  • Sequence Type (ST) 22 MRSA strains, particularly those producing Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin, are associated with severe infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and control a nosocomial outbreak of PVL-positive ST 22 MRSA.
  • To identify the transmission dynamics and contributing factors to the outbreak.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of implemented infection control measures.

Main Methods:

  • Case definition for MRSA acquisition based on screening and clinical specimens.
  • Molecular typing techniques including spa typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for strain confirmation.
  • Implementation of infection control interventions: patient decolonisation, ward-wide screening, environmental sampling, and enhanced cleaning.

Main Results:

  • An outbreak involving five patients was identified, with four acquiring PVL-MRSA from an index case due to lapses in infection control.
  • Two patients developed bloodstream infections following MRSA acquisition.
  • Effective control was achieved through comprehensive infection control measures.

Conclusions:

  • PVL-MRSA ST 22 poses a substantial threat for transmission and severe outcomes in acute care settings.
  • Microbiological typing, such as spa typing and PFGE, is crucial for rapid outbreak confirmation and guiding control strategies.
  • Prompt implementation of stringent infection control protocols is essential to mitigate the spread of such resistant organisms.
Keywords:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusPanton–Valentine leucocidinoutbreakurology setting

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