Community Strains of MRSA in Uruguay
Author Information
Author(s): Benoit Stephen R., Estivariz Concepción, Mogdasy Cristina, Pedreira Walter, Galiana Antonio, Galiana Alvaro, Bagnulo Homero, Gorwitz Rachel, Fosheim Gregory E., McDougal Linda K., Jernigan Daniel
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Community-associated MRSA strains have emerged in Uruguay and may be replacing healthcare-associated MRSA strains.
Conclusion
Community-associated MRSA strains have replaced healthcare-associated MRSA strains in at least one healthcare facility in Uruguay and are causing healthcare-onset infections.
Supporting Evidence
- CA-MRSA infections increased from 4% to 23% of all S. aureus infections over two years.
- Healthcare-associated MRSA infections decreased from 25% to 5% during the same period.
- 21% of patients with CA-MRSA had healthcare-onset infections.
Takeaway
In Uruguay, a type of bacteria called CA-MRSA is becoming more common in hospitals and can make people sick even after they've been admitted for other reasons.
Methodology
The study reviewed S. aureus isolates from a healthcare facility and collected data from four hospitals on patients infected with CA-MRSA.
Potential Biases
Selection bias was unlikely, but the definition of CA-MRSA was based on susceptibility patterns rather than epidemiologic risk factors.
Limitations
Misclassification of healthcare-onset infections may have occurred, and electronic records were unavailable in three facilities, potentially affecting case distribution.
Participant Demographics
Of 182 patients, 59% were male, 80% were from Montevideo, and 29% had underlying chronic medical conditions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI for healthcare-onset infections: 4.8 (1.2–18.7)
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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