MRSA Is a Rare but Important Cause of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Patients known to carry methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and those with nursing home admission or exposure to skin infection were at highest risk for MRSA-caused pneumonia.

To determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection and factors associated with it in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia, investigators prospectively enrolled a convenience sample of 627 adult patients with pneumonia who were admitted from 12 university-affiliated emergency departments during 2006–2007. Patients who were hospitalized or in long-term care facilities in the past month were excluded.

Among 595 patients (95%) who underwent blood cultures, respiratory cultures, or both, a pathogen was identified in 17% (11% of 579 blood cultures and 15% of 313 respiratory cultures). MRSA was identified in 2.4% of patients overall and in 4.8% of patients admitted to the intensive care un…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)