Fusidic acid resistance in community isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and fusidic acid prescribing.
The level of resistance to fusidic acid among community methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates in the UK and prescriptions for fusidic acid have both doubled over the past 6 years. It is hypothesized that selective pressure arising from topical use of fusidic acid in the community accounts for this increase. A significant correlation was found between prescribing of fusidic acid and resistance at the practice level (Spearman's rho = 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.71, P = 0.01). Further controlled studies are required to determine whether this association is causal.
Mason
Brendan W
BW
Public Health Laboratory Service, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (Wales), Abton House, Wedal Road, Cardiff CF14 3QX, UK. Brendan.mason@phls.wales.nhs.uk
Howard
Anthony J
AJ
Magee
John T
JT
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005672:Fusidic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005672:Fusidic Acid; D008712:Methicillin