The Journal of hospital infection
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Staphylococcus aureus produces many virulence factors, most of which act in a synergistic and coordinated fashion. Some appear to be specifically associated with certain severe infections and are produced by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones distributed worldwide. ⋯ In particular, the leukotoxic action of PVL is responsible for the high mortality rate associated with necrotizing pneumonia. CA-MRSA can also harbour the toxic shock toxin 1 (TSST-1) and rarely the exfoliative toxin.
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Antimicrobial central venous catheters make use of a variety of antimicrobial mechanisms. Although they are currently infrequently used and their role in preventing infection is still being defined, they have a clear application in certain situations.
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Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent throughout the healthcare system in Spain, particularly in long-term care facilities (LTCF) and the incidence of MRSA bloodstream infection (MRSA-BSI) at hospital admission is increasing. This study aimed to determine factors that predict meticillin resistance among patients who require hospitalization for S. aureus BSI. We performed a case-control study comparing patients with S. aureus at hospital admission from January 1991 to December 2003. ⋯ Univariate analysis comparing patients with MRSA- and MSSA-BSI found a significant association between meticillin resistance and age >60 years, female sex, prior MRSA isolation and healthcare-related BSI. No differences were found in underlying conditions such as diabetes, haemodialysis, immunosuppression, source of infection or mortality between the two groups. Multivariate analyses identified prior MRSA isolation [odds ratio (OR): 41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4-350] and admission from long-term care facilities (OR: 37; 95% CI: 4.5-316) as independent risk factors for MRSA-BSI.
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Decreased susceptibility to biocides may contribute to epidemic spread of Acinetobacter baumannii in the hospital. This study was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of different clinical A. baumannii strains to disinfectants. Twenty A. baumannii strains were examined, ten of which were outbreak-related and ten that were sporadic. ⋯ No significant differences in susceptibility between outbreak-related and sporadic strains were detected, but larger studies would be required to confirm this. Resistance to currently used disinfectants is probably not a major factor in the epidemic spread of A. baumannii. However, even minor deviations from the recommended procedures leading to decreased concentrations or exposure times may play a role in nosocomial cross-transmission.