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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 10, 2011

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a dermatology outpatient population

M F Price1, M E McBride, J E Wolf

  • 1Infectious Disease Section, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex 77030, USA.

Southern Medical Journal
|May 1, 1998
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are rising. This study tracked MRSA prevalence in outpatient dermatology clinics from 1988 to 1996, revealing a significant increase.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasing.
  • Limited data exists on MRSA prevalence in community settings.
  • Previous studies indicated a low prevalence (<0.9%) in dermatology outpatient clinics in 1986-1987.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the changing prevalence of MRSA in community dermatology outpatient facilities.
  • To analyze antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of MRSA isolates over time.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of culture results.
  • Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
  • Data collected from 1988 through 1996 in dermatology outpatient facilities.

Main Results:

  • MRSA prevalence increased from 1.5% in 1988 to 11.9% in 1996.
  • MRSA strains in 1996 showed increased resistance to oral agents like ciprofloxacin and tetracycline.
  • All MRSA strains remained susceptible to intravenous vancomycin.

Conclusions:

  • MRSA prevalence in the community is increasing.
  • Consider MRSA when choosing treatment for staphylococcal infections.
  • The rise in community MRSA necessitates updated treatment guidelines.

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