METHICILLIN-CEPHEM-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) ENTERITIS AFTER OPERATION ON THE GASTROINTESTINAL ORGANS

Abstract

Postoperative enteritis caused by methicillin-cephem-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is characterized by white watery diarrhea and fever. However, MRSA infection associating with no diarrhea can occur. Recent experience with 5 cases of MRSA infection without diarrhea, in which MRSA was detected in the stools, is described. Three of the 5 cases were accompanied by no symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal complaints, and MRSA in the stools disappeared without treatment. The remaining 2 cases had fever possibly caused by MRSA infection of the digestive tract without diarrhea, and their body temperatures were normalized by oral vancomycin hydrochloride. It was suggested that MRSA infection of the digestive tract without diarrhea might be developed after the operation on the gastrointestianl organs in the unit having a possible risk for iatrogenic infection by MRSA.