Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus infections on the rise

AORN Journal,  July, 2006  

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There has been a recent significant increase in the number of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections, according to a March 6, 2006, news release from the Emory University Health Sciences Center, Atlanta. In the past, MRSA typically was encountered only in hearth care-associated infections. Researchers found, however, that MRSA now is responsible for 72% of community-onset Staphylococcus skin and soft tissue infections treated in one hearth system.

Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium normally found on skin and in noses, usually infects soft tissues through cuts or rashes. The resulting infection can be minor or can lead to

* boils or abscesses,

* necrotizing skin infections,

* pneumonia, or

* bloodstream infections.

In the past, community-acquired Staphylococcus infections were susceptible to methicillin or other antibiotics in the penicillin or related groups (ie, beta-lactam antibiotics). With the increase in MRSA skin infections acquired outside of the health care setting, physicians should empirically treat skin and soft tissue infections with antibiotics active against MRSA, according to the researchers.

Study Indicates Dramatic Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Community-Acquired Staph Infections (news release, Atlanta: Emory University Health Sciences Center, March 6, 2006) http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006 -03/euhs-sid030606.php (accessed 6 March 2006).

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