Inpatients detected to have MRSA in our department

Abstract

We investigated the inpatients detected to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in our department. MRSA was isolated from 12 (24.5%) of 49 patients who were bacteriologically examined from April 1991 to February 1992. MRSA was detected primarily in patients with malignant tumors who had various underlying diseases, and most MRSA isolates were obtained from the sputum. Two of 12 patients developed MRSA infection. Bacteriological examination and the status of antibiotic usage in our department suggest that MRSA spread as a nosocomial infection via the medical staff. These results indicate the vital importance of preventing MRSA from spreading to compromised hosts.