Study finds MRSA most common cause of skin infections in patients presenting in nat...( oquinolones 100 percent to rifampin an...),Health

The next step, according to Moran, is to compare these different antibiotics in real patients in order to identify an optimal treatment.

The study revealed several potential risk factors for community-associated MRSA. Patients with MRSA were more likely to report a spider bite as the reason for the skin lesion, perhaps thinking it was a bite in absence of other skin problems. Those with MRSA also were more likely to have close contact with a person with a similar infection.

"However, none of these risk factors were consistent enough to help doctors identify cases of MRSA -- it appears now that everyone is at risk," Moran said. "So if you think you have a spider bite or other type of skin lesion that is not healing, you want to see your doctor to make sure it's not an infection like MRSA."

Dr. Rachel J. Gorwitz, an author of the study and a medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted the importance of educating patients in order to avoid transmission. She offered the following guidance:

• Wash hands often with soap and water to keep them clean, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (if hands are not visibly soiled).

• Don't share towels, razors or other personal items.

• Avoid contact with other people's wounds or bandages.

• Keep breaks in your skin clean and covered and watch for signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and swelling.

• See your doctor if you notice signs of infection; don't try to drain a boil yourself at home.

• If you have a skin infection, keep the infected area covered with a clean, dry bandage until it is healed; wash your hands thoroughly after changing the bandage and put used bandages in the trash.

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Contact: Amy Waddell Albin
awaddell@mednet.ucla.edu
310-794-8672
University of California - Los Angeles
16-Aug-2006