A comparison of risk factors associated with community-associated methicillin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus infections in remote communities.
In this case-control study, cases [community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), n=79] and controls [community-associated methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA), n=36] were defined as a laboratory-confirmed infection in a patient with no previous hospital-associated factors. Skin and soft tissue were the predominant sites of infection, both for cases (67.1%) and controls (55.6%). Most of the cases (79.7%) and controls (77.8%) were aged <30 years. Investigations did not reveal any significant statistical differences in acquiring a CA-MRSA or CA-MSSA infection. The most common shared risk factors included overcrowding, previous antibiotic usage, existing skin conditions, household exposure to someone with a skin condition, scratches/insect bites, and exposure to healthcare workers. Similar risk factors, identified for both CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA infections, suggest standard hygienic measures and proper treatment guidelines would be beneficial in controlling both CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA in remote communities.
Golding
G R
GR
National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3R2, Canada.
Levett
P N
PN
McDonald
R R
RR
Irvine
J
J
Nsungu
M
M
Woods
S
S
Horbal
A
A
Siemens
C G
CG
Khan
M
M
Ofner-Agostini
M
M
Mulvey
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003441:Crowding; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents