Multidrug-Resistant MRSA More Common Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (clone USA300) can be difficult to treat. Some isolates are resistant to multiple drugs, such as macrolides, clindamycin, β-lactams, and fluoroquinolones. Researchers studied MRSA isolates from 715 patients seen at nine medical centers and one HIV clinic in San Francisco and from 130 patients at a community health center in Boston.

The estimated overall annual incidence of multidrug-resistant USA300 MRSA in San Francisco was 26 cases per 100,000 people. In eight zip code areas with a high proportion of male same-sex couples (10% vs. 2% in other city zip codes), the incidence was higher (59 vs. 4 cases per 100,000), and it was highest (170 cases per 100,000) in on…