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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Staphylococcus aureus Antibiotic Susceptibilities in Infections in an Outpatient Dermatology Office on O'ahu

Kimberly R Theos1, Kory M Johnson1, Douglas W Johnson1

  • 1John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI.

Hawai'I Journal of Medicine & Public Health : a Journal of Asia Pacific Medicine & Public Health
|May 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) are common causes of skin infections. Linezolid and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole show high effectiveness against these bacteria in Hawaii outpatient settings.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus is a significant pathogen causing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs).
  • Increasing rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been reported globally and in dermatology literature since 1987.
  • Understanding local antibiotic susceptibility patterns is crucial for effective empiric treatment of SSTIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To profile the antibiotic susceptibilities of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA in a Hawai'i outpatient setting.
  • To compare antimicrobial susceptibility patterns between MSSA and MRSA isolates.
  • To guide empiric treatment strategies for SSTIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of outpatient cases from 2012 to 2014 in Hawai'i.
  • Analysis of demographics, infection site, clinical diagnoses, and antimicrobial susceptibility data.
  • Comparison of susceptibility patterns for MSSA and MRSA isolates.

Main Results:

  • Of 66 Staphylococcus aureus samples, 73% were MSSA and 27% were MRSA.
  • Commonly associated infections included impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, and secondarily infected psoriasis, primarily on extremities.
  • Antibiotics most effective against all Staphylococcus aureus isolates were linezolid (100%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (95%), and tetracyclines (94%).
  • Linezolid (100%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%) were highly effective against MRSA isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, in Hawai'i outpatients align with regional antibiograms and IDSA guidelines.
  • Linezolid and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are effective treatment options for MRSA SSTIs in this population.
  • Findings support the use of these antibiotics for empiric treatment of suspected Staphylococcus aureus SSTIs in Hawai'i.
Keywords:
Hawai‘iStaphylococcus aureusantimicrobial susceptibilitydermatologymethicillin-resistant S aureusmethicillin-sensitive S aureusoutpatient

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