HENNESSY T, ALEXANDER L, BRUDEN D, FRIDKIN S, MCALLISTER S, HAMLIN C, SPARKS R, BAGGETT H, BUTLER J; Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (41st : 2001 : Chicago, Ill.).
Abstr Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001 Dec 16-19; 41: abstract no. C2-310.
CDC, Anchorage, AK
BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections associated with steam-bathing have been reported in Alaskan Native villages. We determined the prevalence and risk factors for MRSA carriage in rural Alaska. METHODS: In April 2000, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 12 Alaska Native villages (total pop. 5189). We obtained nares swabs, collected data on potential exposures, and reviewed medical records for the prior 6 months. S. aureus isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). One year later, we did follow-up chart reviews for skin infections for 14 MRSA carriers and two comparison groups: 42 methicillin-susceptible SA (MSSA) carriers, and 42 non-carriers. RESULTS: Of 1761 participants, 16 (0.9%) carried MRSA. MRSA carriers were clustered in 4 villages where carriage was 1% to 5.5%. Fifteen (94%) MRSA carriers were from villages where steam-bathing is common vs. 773 (44%) non-MRSA carriers (Odds Ratio [OR]: 19, p < 0.001). MRSA carriers had more infectious skin diseases (boils, lice, impetigo; OR:15.4, p < 0.01) and had more crowded homes (median 1.7 vs. 1.3 people/room, p = 0.06). Eleven (69%) of the carriers came from one village where an outbreak of MRSA boils occurred in 1996; 3 (27%) carried isolates that were < 3 bands different than MRSA from that outbreak. In the year following the carriage study, 4 (29%) of 14 MRSA carriers had skin infections compared with 13 (31%; p = 0.9) MSSA carriers and 17 (40%; p = 0.4) non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA carriage in rural Alaska varies geographically and is highest where a MRSA boils outbreak occurred in 1996. Efforts to reduce infections with MRSA could include prevention of infectious skin diseases and evaluation of the role of household crowding and steam-bathing in transmission.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Alaska
- Animals
- Carrier State
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Disease Outbreaks
- Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
- Furunculosis
- Impetigo
- Nasal Cavity
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Rural Population
- Staphylococcal Infections
- Staphylococcus aureus
Other ID:
UI: 102269726
From Meeting Abstracts