title: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections at an Army training installation.
abstract: To assess the burden of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in a high-risk population, the monthly incidence of laboratory-confirmed MRSA in service members/trainees stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA without hospitalization or surgery documented 30 days prior to infection was calculated for calendar years 2002-2007. Clinical management and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were also evaluated. By 2007, approximately 67% of S. aureus strains were MRSA, and approximately 82% of these were community-associated, primarily in trainees. In total, 3531 CA-MRSA infections were identified. Rates appeared to be seasonal, peaking at 42 cases/1000 soldiers in 2005, with rates remaining above 35/1000 soldiers thereafter. Increased prescription of effective antibiotics was documented. Susceptibility to clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin decreased from 2002 to 2007 by 6%, 17%, and 14%, respectively. The sustained high prevalence of CA-MRSA observed highlights the need for more vigilant population-based counter-measures at military training installations.
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Morrison-Rodriguez
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pacha
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Jordan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008889:Military Personnel; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents