Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in the Community: Homeless Are Also at Risk
Description:
Thomas et al. recently identified the district nurse population as a significant reservoir for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community, with 21.1% [confidence interval (CI): 11.6–30.4] of the study population found to be MRSA positive.1 Other population groups known to be at risk of community MRSA colonisation or infection include military recruits, sports teams players, men who have sex with men, people in jail, injecting drug users (IDUs) and the homeless. Current or past IDUs and a history of skin abscess is associated with a higher prevalence of meticillin resistance in those who are S. aureus-colonised.[2], [3], [4] and [5] Studies from the USA have shown that the homeless are at a significantly increased risk (odds ratio: 3.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.22–9.22) of community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections compared with the non-homeless.[3] and [4] To our knowledge, we present the first assessment of skin and soft tissue infections due to MRSA in people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the UK.(abstract from the article)
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
2008
Location:
London