title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: long-term routes of acquisition in hospital patients.
abstract: Five hundred fifty three patients and two personnel (1986-1991) were categorized according to acquisition route of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and initial culture date. Of the 555, there were 218 with nosocomial infections, 100 with nosocomial colonizations, 92 with community-acquired infections, and 145 with community-acquired colonizations. Nosocomial infections occurred significantly more often than nosocomial colonizations, community-acquired infections, or colonizations (p < 0.001). Results of this study show that over a long period, our patients acquired MRSA by different routes, none of which were related to seasons of the year. Although seasonal outbreaks of epidemic MRSA are important, an awareness of the occurrence of endemic MRSA is also important because it serves as a reminder that MRSA reservoirs are continuously present in some institutions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Flournoy
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*