Intractable nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The elimination of a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the nose of a hospital staff member is described. Administration of antibacterial agents and intranasal inoculation of a sensitive strain of Staph. aureus failed to eradicate the MRSA. The MRSA disappeared after removal of the staff member from the hospital environment.