[Outbreak of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a central hospital]

Until 1994, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated from less than 60 patients annually in Denmark. We describe an outbreak of MRSA involving eight patients within a timespan of six weeks. Bacteriophage-typing and DNA typing using pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed that three different strains of MRSA were involved in the outbreak. This emphasizes the importance of typing MRSA in order to clear up the spread in an outbreak. Of the eight patients four died, and in one case MRSA was thought to be the major cause of death. The expenses of the extra hygienic measures i.e. isolation of patients, medication and bacteriological surveillance were estimated to approximately DKK 80.000 pr. patient. Patients, who have been admitted to or worked at a hospital outside Scandinavia within the last six months, are potentially colonized with MRSA. Specific guidelines for hospital hygiene are necessary to prevent the spread of such strains.