Journal
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
Volume 54, Issue 4, Pages 349-357Publisher
W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2006.08.002
Keywords
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; community-associated; skin infections; Pacific Islanders; children; epidemiology
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objectives: We conducted a retrospective study to determine trends and characteristics of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in Hawaii. Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients with MRSA infections during July 2001-June 2003 in four healthcare facilities. A case was defined as a patient with MRSA infection (colonization excluded), diagnosed in ambulatory settings or <= 48 h after hospitalization, without previous MRSA or healthcare risk factors. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and typing of resistance and toxin genes was performed in 40 MRSA isolates. Results: CA-MRSA infections increased from 28 (23% of MRSA infections) to 65 (32%) per quarter over the 2-year period (P < 0.05). Pacific islanders accounted for 51% of 389 case-patients, but only 24% of the Hawaii population. In the pediatric hospital, Pacific Islanders represented 76% of 90 case-patients versus 35% of the hospital population. Hospital admission, required for 40% (154/389), was associated with prior antimicrobial treatment (P < 0.01). The staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV was detected in 38/40 isolates; 31 isolates carried Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes and 22 belonged to the same staphylococcal lineage. Conclusions: In Hawaii, prevention strategies for CA-MRSA infections should focus on Pacific Islanders. CA-MRSA infections in Hawaii appear to be related to strains causing disease throughout the United States. (c) 2006 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available