Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus development in intensive care patients. A case-control study
Mohamed A Ali1, Ahmad M Rajab, Abdullah M Al-Khani
1College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Al-Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. mohammed.ag.khalifa@gmail.com.
Objectives:
To determine the factors associated with the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hospital stay and mortality, and early versus late MRSA infection.
Methods:
Cases (n=44) were intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted to King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2019 who developed MRSA during their hospital stay. Controls (n=48) were patients from the same place and period who did not develop MRSA. Data were abstracted from hospital records.
Results:
Admission with sepsis (case: 46% vs. control: 2%, p less than 0.001) and having at least one comorbid condition (case: 95% vs. control: 46%, p less than 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of MRSA. Age (mean ±SD: case: 65±18, control: 64±18, p=0.7) and gender (% male, case: 52%, control: 56%, p=0.70) were not associated with the development of MRSA. Approximately 73% of all MRSA cases developed within the first 2 weeks of admission. Among the early cases, 44% died during their ICU stay; the corresponding percentage among the late cases was 42% (p=0.69). There was no difference between early and late MRSA cases in terms of non-sepsis admissions (50% vs. 67%, p=0.32) or comorbid status (at least one: 97% vs. 92%, p=0.17). Conclusion: Sepsis and comorbid conditions were significant risk factors for MRSA development among hospital patients.
Insights
Sepsis and comorbid conditions significantly increase the risk of developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospital patients. These factors are key predictors for MRSA acquisition during hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
- Understanding risk factors for MRSA development is crucial for infection control.
- Early versus late MRSA infections may have different clinical implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with MRSA development in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
- To analyze associations with hospital stay duration and mortality.
- To compare early-onset versus late-onset MRSA infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study of ICU patients (2015-2019).
- Cases (n=44) developed MRSA; controls (n=48) did not.
- Data abstracted from patient medical records.
Main Results:
- Admission with sepsis (46% vs. 2%, p<0.001) and comorbid conditions (95% vs. 46%, p<0.001) were strongly associated with MRSA development.
- Age and gender were not significant risk factors.
- Most MRSA cases (73%) occurred within the first two weeks of admission; mortality rates were similar for early and late MRSA infections.
Conclusions:
- Sepsis and comorbid conditions are significant risk factors for MRSA development in hospitalized patients.
- Early detection and management of sepsis may help prevent MRSA acquisition.
- Further research into specific comorbid conditions and their impact on MRSA risk is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...