Drug-Resistant Staph Infections in Mid-Missouri

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that is the most common cause of skin infections, and in the past has been easily treated by common cephalosporin antibiotics. There have, however, recently been strains of this bacteria that are resistant to these antibiotics and are more difficult to treat. The bacteria become dangerous when they enter the tissue through a cut or puncture, producing a serious infection become life-threatening.

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are becoming increasingly common. According to the Centers of Disease Control, in 1974, MRSA infections accounted for two percent of the total number of staph infections. By 1995 the number had risen to 22 percent, and in 2004, it was 63 percent. In fact, it is estimated that more people currently are dying of MRSA infections in the US than of AIDS.

Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is a form of MRSA that is becoming common in locker rooms, prisons, and daycares, where the risk factors (physical contact, skin damage, and sharing of equipment) are high. The CA-MRSA is a more treatable strain of MRSA, but the disease itself is more severe.

Many physicians and health care providers agree that early diagnosis and prevention is key. Dr. Scott Shultz is a physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University Hospitals and Clinics and recently conducted a study with medical student Nick Gentry. They found that while the incidence of CA-MRSA is rising within the University Hospitals and Clinics, "provider education on CA-MRSA does improve treatment."

Eddie Hedrick, coordinator of emerging infections for the Missouri Department of Health told the Columbia Missourian that the disease is oftentimes initially misdiagnosed because the lesions can look like spider bites, or is mistaken for another strain of staph and mistreated.

In a study conducted by University of Missouri physicians Kristin Koehn and Sayonara Mato, along with MU medical student Amanda Schondelmeyer, they found the incidence of CA-MRSA in children from mid-Missouri rose from 33% to 70% between 2000 and 2006. While MRSA infections are on the rise, it remains unclear whether there are regions in the US that are more affected than others.

Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine have recently been awarded a grant to determine if pet ownership could contribute to the spread of the disease. Dr. Stephanie Kottler is the primary investigator for this study and states that "results of the study will help define whether pets in households with healthcare workers are a more likely to serve as reservoirs for community-acquired MRSA."

What does all this mean for the residents of mid-Missouri (and, likely, other communities across the nation)? Tom Quinn, the director of school governance for the State of Missouri told the Columbia Missourian that "he does not think that MRSA is an immediate concern" and added that "he was confident that if an outbreak occurred, Missouri school districts would be prepared." We hope he is right.

To avoid MRSA infections, the CDC recommends the following actions:

* Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Athletes should be encouraged to shower and wash with soap after all practices and competitions.

* Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a dressing until healed.

·*Avoiding contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds, including towels, clothing and sports equipment.

Sources: The Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/10/17/staph-infection-becomes-bigger-threat-state-health/, The Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_prevention.html