Methamphetamine use and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and methamphetamine use are emerging public health problems. We conducted a case-control investigation to determine risk factors for MRSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in residents of a largely rural southeastern community in the United States. Case-patients were persons >12 years old who had culturable SSTIs; controls had no SSTIs. Of 119 SSTIs identified, 81 (68.1%) were caused by MRSA. Methamphetamine use was reported in 9.9% of case-patients and 1.8% of controls. After we adjusted for age, sex, and race, patients with MRSA SSTIs were more likely than controls to have recently used methamphetamine (odds ratio 5.10, 95% confidence interval 1.55-16.79). MRSA caused most SSTIs in this population. Transmission of MRSA may be occurring among methamphetamine users in this community.
Cohen
Adam L
AL
Respiratory Diseases Brabch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. alcohen1@cdc.gov
Shuler
Carrie
C
McAllister
Sigrid
S
Fosheim
Gregory E
GE
Brown
Michael G
MG
Abercrombie
Debra
D
Anderson
Karen
K
McDougal
Linda K
LK
Drenzek
Cherie
C
Arnold
Katie
K
Jernigan
Daniel
D
Gorwitz
Rachel
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D008694:Methamphetamine