Intensive care units as a source of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Microbiologica. 1987 Oct;10(4):345-51.

Abstract

Over a 12 month period, 209 isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were obtained in 39 patients admitted to an ICU. In 23 patients MRSA was the major pathogen, producing either pneumonia, bacteremia or wound infection. In eight patients death was directly related to the MRSA infection. This study suggests an increasing occurrence of MRSA infections in ICU and the need to adopt control measures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Male
  • Methicillin / pharmacology*
  • Microcomputers
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillin Resistance
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / microbiology
  • Sepsis / epidemiology
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
  • Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Wound Infection / microbiology

Substances

  • Methicillin