Development of mupirocin resistance among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after widespread use of nasal

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M A Miller1, A Dascal, J Portnoy

  • 1Department of Microbiology, SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|December 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Mupirocin resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) dramatically increased from 2.7% to 65% between 1990 and 1993. This rise coincided with increased mupirocin ointment use for infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant healthcare challenge.
  • Mupirocin ointment is utilized as an adjunct in infection control strategies against MRSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the susceptibility of MRSA strains to mupirocin over time.
  • To determine the correlation between mupirocin use and the emergence of mupirocin resistance in MRSA.

Main Methods:

  • Susceptibility testing of MRSA isolates to mupirocin.
  • Data collection occurred over a 4-year period (1990-1993) in a public teaching hospital.

Main Results:

  • Mupirocin resistance among MRSA isolates showed a sharp increase: 2.7% (1990), 8.0% (1991), 61.5% (1992), and 65% (1993).
  • The rise in mupirocin resistance was associated with increased utilization of mupirocin ointment.

Conclusions:

  • Widespread use of mupirocin ointment has led to a significant increase in mupirocin-resistant MRSA.
  • Antimicrobial stewardship and monitoring of resistance patterns are crucial with topical agent use.

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