The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Duration of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization after diagnosis: A four-year experience from southern Sweden

På svenska

Author

Summary, in English

Background: The duration of colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is not well known and there is debate as to whether a patient colonized with MRSA ever can be defined as 'MRSA-negative'. Methods: Since 2003 all notified MRSA cases have been systematically followed in Skane County, southern Sweden. Cultures are taken from the nares, throat, perineum and possible skin lesions. Contact tracing is conducted. The screening program continues as long as cultures are positive and then until 1 y of consecutive negative cultures for MRSA is completed. Results: Of the 578 MRSA cases during 2003-2006, 535 were included in this retrospective study. The median duration of colonization with MRSA was 5.9 months. Having household contacts with MRSA, young age, spa-type t002 and colonization in 2 or more locations, were significantly associated with a longer duration of colonization. Having a clinical infection treated with antibiotics (compared to clinical infection with no antibiotic treatment or asymptomatic carriage) was significantly associated with a shorter carriage time. Eradication treatment was associated with a shorter carriage time. Conclusion: These results may have implications for the management of patients with MRSA carriage. The study indicates that MRSA carriage can be defined as 'negative' in a follow-up program and shows the importance of performing contact tracing among household members.

Publishing year

2011

Language

English

Pages

456-462

Publication/Series

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases

Volume

43

Issue

6-7

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Informa Healthcare

Topic

  • Infectious Medicine

Keywords

  • Antibiotic resistance
  • MRSA
  • community associated
  • risk factor
  • contact
  • tracing

Status

Published

Research group

  • Infectious Diseases Research Unit
  • Clinical Microbiology, Malmö

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1651-1980