[Clinical characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in phlegm specimens].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in phlegm specimens of positive patients, so as to provide evidences for the nosocomial infection control.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 211 hospitalized patients who were MRSA-positive in their phlegm specimens in PUMC Hospital from January 2005 to October 2007.


RESULTS
Among the 211 patients, 196 (92.9%) had received antibiotics three months before the detection of MRSA, and 128 (60.7%) had received more than three antibiotics. Over 90% of MRSA were resistant to levofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and gentamicin, and 73.9% were resistant to rifampicin.


CONCLUSIONS
Improper use of antibiotics should be avoided. Vancomycin is the first choice for MRSA treatment.
Li
Gui-Ping
GP
Hospital-acquired Infection Control Office, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhou
Jiong
J
Wang
Ai
A
Sun
Hong-Li
HL
Ma
Xiao-Jun
XJ
Xu
Ying-Chun
YC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents