HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marcotte, A. L. Articles by Trzeciak, M. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marcotte, A. L. Articles by Trzeciak, M. A.

Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: An Emerging Pathogen in Orthopaedics

Dr. Marcotte is Resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Grandview Hospital and Medical Center, Dayton, OH. Dr. Trzeciak is Professor, Department of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Ohio University, Dayton, and Orthopaedic Attending, The Hand Center of Southwestern Ohio, A Division of Orthopedic Associates of Southwestern Ohio, Dayton.

None of the following authors or a member of their immediate families has received anything of value from or owns stock in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article: Dr. Marcotte and Dr. Trzeciak.

Reprint requests: Dr. Trzeciak, The Hand Center of Southwestern Ohio, A Division of Orthopedic Associates of Southwestern Ohio, Suite 10, 4160 Little York Road, Dayton OH 45415.

Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) remains one of the most common pathogens for skin and soft-tissue infections encountered by the orthopaedic surgeon. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant S aureus (CA-MRSA) has become increasingly prevalent, particularly among athletes, children in day care, homeless persons, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men, military recruits, certain minorities (ie, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders), and prison inmates. Risk factors include antibiotic use within the preceding year, crowded living conditions, compromised skin integrity, contaminated surfaces, frequent skin-to-skin contact, shared items, and suboptimal cleanliness. When a patient presents with a skin or soft-tissue infection, the clinician should determine whether an abscess or other infection needs to be surgically incised and drained. Cultures should be performed. When the patient is a member of an at-risk group or has any of the risk factors for CA-MRSA, β-lactam antibiotics (eg, methicillin) are no longer a reasonable choice for treatment. Empiric treatment should consist of non–β-lactam antibiotics active against CA-MRSA.