The community prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in older people living in their own homes: implications for treatment, screening and surveillance in the UK

• Published in: The Journal of hospital infection 2004-07, Vol.57 (3), p.258-262
• Main Authors: Maudsley, J, Stone, S.P, Kibbler, C.C, Iliffe, S.R, Conaty, S.J, Cookson, B.D, Duckworth, G.J, Johnson, A, Wallace, P.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Aged - statistics & numerical data; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antimicrobial resistance; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - diagnosis; Carrier State - epidemiology; Carrier State - prevention & control; Community; Community-Acquired Infections - diagnosis; Community-Acquired Infections - epidemiology; Community-Acquired Infections - etiology; Community-Acquired Infections - prevention & control; Drug Utilization - standards; Elderly people; Epidemiology; Family Practice - statistics & numerical data; Female; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infection Control - methods; Infection Control - standards; Infectious diseases; London - epidemiology; Male; Mass Screening - methods; Mass Screening - standards; Medical sciences; Methicillin Resistance; Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Patient Discharge - standards; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Population Surveillance - methods; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prevalence; Recurrence; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections - diagnosis; Staphylococcal Infections - epidemiology; Staphylococcal Infections - etiology; Staphylococcal Infections - prevention & control; Staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, pneumococcal infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Surveillance
• ISSN: 0195-6701; 1532-2939
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2004.03.023

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) predominantly affects those over 65 years old. There may be a substantial pool of older people with MRSA in the community. We studied the prevalence in one London general practice, screening 258 older people living in their own home. MRSA (E-MRSA 15) was found in two participants (0.78%). Past history of MRSA was the only significant risk factor. The results of this and other studies suggest that national guidelines recommending early discharge for MRSA carriers have not resulted in widespread community acquisition amongst elderly people living in their own home. Community antibiotic policies for skin and soft-tissue infection do not require amendment. Patients with previous MRSA should be isolated and screened on admission especially to high-risk units.