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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Published on: February 9, 2011
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Persons Who Use Drugs
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract:
The substance use epidemic has evolved in recent years, with an increase in synthetic opioids along with a rise in the use of stimulants. Persons who use drugs are at an increased risk of developing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) due to a variety of contributing factors, including substance-specific risks, behavioral and consumption-related factors, and social determinants. Persons who use drugs experience frequent SSTIs, most commonly cellulitis and cutaneous abscesses. In addition to antibiotic and surgical management where appropriate, harm reduction efforts are critical in reducing morbidity associated with SSTIs in this population.
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