title: Colonization of pressure ulcers by multidrug-resistant microorganisms in patients receiving home care.
abstract: Colonization and/or infection with multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) of pressure ulcers in patients receiving care at home have seldom been investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of MDRO colonization in pressure ulcers of patients receiving home care in Palermo, Italy. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDRGN) were isolated, identified, and characterized from pressure ulcers and selected home environment surfaces. Thirty-two patients were enrolled, of whom 12 were under antimicrobial therapy. Five patients had been admitted to hospital in the preceding year. Nineteen patients tested positive for 1 or more MDROs. In particular, 1 patient was colonized by a vanA-containing strain of VRE, 5 by MRSA, and 17 by MDRGN of different species. Our findings suggest that pressure ulcers in home care patients could play a role in bringing MDROs into the community setting.
authors: Geriatric Assessment and Integrated Home Care Unit , District 10, Local Health Agency Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Maria Concetta
authors: MC
authors: Cataldo
authors: Celestino
authors: C
authors: Bonura
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Caputo
authors: Aurora
authors: A
authors: Aleo
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Rizzo
authors: Daniela Maria
authors: DM
authors: Geraci
authors: Cinzia
authors: C
authors: Calá
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Fasciana
authors: Anna Rita
authors: AR
authors: Mattaliano
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Mammina
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents