title: The emergence of mupirocin resistance: a challenge to infection control and antibiotic prescribing practice.
abstract: Mupirocin was introduced into clinical practice in the UK in 1985, and has proved to be an extremely effective treatment of skin infections and one of the most successful topical antibiotics for the clearance of nasal Staphylococcus aureus isolates including those resistant to methicillin. It is currently registered for use in more than 90 countries worldwide. Unfortunately resistance was described shortly after its initial use. Many of the issues regarding its use are reviewed here, together with the mechanisms, genetics, surveillance and epidemiology of resistance, particularly in staphylococci. The various factors that increase resistance and how they might be controlled are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Hospital Infection, PHLS Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Cookson
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D016712:Mupirocin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016712:Mupirocin