Clenched-fist injury complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Hand infections are a common sequela of clenched-fist injuries. The majority of these infections are due to Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly being isolated in Canadian health care facilities. In addition, MRSA now needs to be considered in community acquired hand infections that fail to respond to common empiric therapy. A 51-year-old man with MRSA due to a hand injury was treated successfully with vancomycin. The prevalence, mechanism of resistance and treatment of MRSA are briefly reviewed.
Berlet
G
G
Hand and upper Limb Clinic, St Joseph's Health Centre, London, Ont.
Richards
R S
RS
Roth
J H
JH
D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology