MRSA Enteritis and Bacterial Translocation

Abstract

Methicilline resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be grown alone in a neutral culture medium but not when other kinds of bacteria are present. Under conditions where the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) or E. coli and Escherichia faecalis (E. faecalis) are prohibited, however, the growth of MRSA increases significantly. In a rat model fed by total parenteral nutrition (TPN), MRSA was able to translocate to the small intestine when gastric acidity was suppressed. However, MRSA enteritis and diarrhea did not occur because MRSA enteritis requires a series of treatments, including the administration of antibiotics prior to and after MRSA inoculation. Bacterial translocation was confirmed using a postoperative MRSA enteritis mouse model; hepato-splenic macrophages were thought to be the front line of host protection during the initial stage of infection. Careless antibiotic administration may cause MRSA enteritis. MRSA enteritis could be a serious complication in postoperative patients with a low hepato-splenic macrophage count.