Persistence of MRSA Colonization

Among patients with documented previous MRSA infection or colonization, 41% remained colonized when readmitted to the hospital 1–4 years later.

Patients with a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection or colonization have been presumed to remain colonized. Many infection-control programs therefore flag the charts of such patients permanently. However, the few studies that have examined the duration of MRSA colonization have been small and limited to specific patient populations.

In a recent investigation that was partially funded by industry, researchers at a three-hospital healthcare system in suburban Chicago examined the rate of MRSA nasal colonization among consecutive hospital admissions from November 2006 through December 2007. They identified 1564 admissions for which the patient had a previous clinical culture or surveillance test positive for …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)