title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Athlete.
abstract: Although once considered only a nosocomial pathogen, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a rapidly emerging, problematic infection in the community. Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is notably becoming more prevalent in athletic environments and unfortunately, can be easily transmitted via superficial abrasions and minor skin trauma. CA-MRSA infections are highly contagious and are associated with significant morbidity, with published reports of up to 70% of infected team members requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics . Risk factors for athletic related environments include contact sports with repeated close physical contact with other competitors, open abrasions, and sharing of personal equipment. Failure to correctly diagnose and appropriately treat skin and soft tissue lesions infected with CA-MRSA may contribute to large scale MRSA infections in athletic environments. The purpose of this review article is to help sports medicine physicians prevent, identify, and treat MRSA skin and superficial soft tissue infections in athletic environments.
authors.affiliation: The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Annapolis 21409, USA. redziniak@verizon.net
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Redziniak
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Diduch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Grindstaff
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: MacKnight
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mistry
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001265:Athletic Injuries; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D012307:Risk Factors; D013177:Sports; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination