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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a ubiquitous problem for hospitals and has spread to community settings. In this study from Paris, researchers followed 148 patients (mean age, 70) who had MRSA colonization at hospital discharge to their homes. MRSA clearance and transmission to household contacts were monitored; patients did not receive any specific treatment for eradication. MRSA isolates from patients and any household members who were colonized were compared by antibiogram.
At 1 year, 75 patients (51%) had cleared MRSA (mean time to clearance, 246 days), 29 (20%) remained colonized, and 44 (30%) died or were lost to follow-up. Of 188 household contacts who were monitored, 19% acquired MRSA during the study — none pro…