MRSA Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about MRSA, including details on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, hospitals, infection, antibiotic resistance, superbugs.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of daptomycin and comparator agents tested against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci: trend analysis of a 6-year period in US medical centers (2005-2010).

Sader HS, Moet GJ, Farrell DJ, Jones RN

JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa 52317, USA; Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04023, Brazil.

We evaluated daptomycin activity trends against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE; MIC, ≥8 μg/mL) in a 6-year period (2005-2010) following US regulatory release for clinical use. Consecutive, unique patient strains of clinical significance were collected in 32 US medical centers and susceptibility tested in a central laboratory against daptomycin and various comparator agents by reference broth microdilution methods. A total of 22 858 S. aureus (12 181 [53.3%] MRSA), 4312 Enterococcus faecalis (195 [4.5%] VRE), and 2462 Enterococcus faecium (1867 [75.8%] VRE) were evaluated. Daptomycin susceptibility rates were 99.94%, 99.98%, and 99.68% for S. aureus, E. faecalis, and E. faecium, respectively. Among MRSA (daptomycin MIC(50/90), 0.25/0.5 μg/mL), only 13 (0.11%) daptomycin-non-susceptible (MIC, ≥2 μg/mL) isolates were observed with no MIC creep over the study interval. Daptomycin was very active against vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (MIC(50/90), 1/2 μg/mL) and E. faecium (MIC(50/90), 2/2 μg/mL). Among VRE, only 4 daptomycin-non-susceptible isolates (all E. faecium) were detected. In conclusion, daptomycin demonstrated sustained activity against an extensive collection of clinical isolates of MRSA and VRE from numerous US medical centers over the last 6 monitored years.

Published 6 May 2011 in Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on MRSA published 6 May 2011:

Effectiveness of a novel ozone-based system for the rapid high-level disinfection of health care spaces and surfaces.   Am J Infect Control.

BACKGROUND: Vapor-based fumigant systems for disinfection of health care surfaces and spaces is an evolving technology. A new system (AsepticSure) uses an ozone-based process to create a highly reactive oxidative vapor with broad and high-level antimicrobial properties. METHODS: Ozone gas at 50-500 ppm was combined with 3% hydrogen peroxide vapor in a test chamber and upscaled in rooms measuring 82 m(3) and 90 m(3) in area. Test organisms included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Antibiotic resistance and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in Nigeria.   BMC Microbiol, 11(1): 92.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen causing a wide range of infections in the hospital and community setting. In order to have adequate information for treatment of S. aureus infections, it is crucial to understand the trends in the antibiotic-resistance patterns. In addition, the occurrence and changes in types of S. aureus, clonal identities, and their geographic spread is essential for the establishment of adequate infection control programmes. In this study, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Clinical features of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) in a Japanese community hospital: Comparisons among nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP), HCAP other than NHAP, and community-acquired pneumonia.   Respirology.

SUMMARY AT A GLANCE: There were differences in bacteriological findings and mortality rates among subgroups of Japanese patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The HCAP guidelines of the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America may not necessarily be applicable for accurate diagnosis and optimum treatment of all Japanese patients with HCAP. ABSTRACT: Background and objective:  More than 100,000 Japanese die of pneumonia every year. The number of people ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Prevalence of Nasal Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in the Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis and Evaluation of Risk Factors and Laboratory Parameters.   Ren Fail.

Abstract Background: In this study, we aimed to determine the nasal carriage rate of Staphylococcus aureus and risk factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: One hundred eighty-four HD patients were evaluated. A second sample was taken from the subjects, the wipe samples of whom were isolated as S. aureus. And subjects whose second samples' results were the same were deemed as S. aureus carriers. Results: Fifty-two (28.3%) patients were identified as S. aureus carriers. In the control ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Prospective, non-comparative study of daptomycin for the treatment of superficial and deep incisional surgical site infections.   Surg Infect (Larchmt), 12(2): 113-8.

Abstract Background: Skin infections, including surgical site infections (SSIs), usually involve gram-positive pathogens and continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and death among hospital patients. The increasing prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other resistant strains accentuates the need for effective and safe therapies for such infections. This exploratory study evaluated the efficacy and safety of daptomycin in patients with gram-positive SSI according to ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Experimental Osteomyelitis Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Treated with a Polylactide Carrier Releasing Linezolid.   Surg Infect (Larchmt), 12(2): 131-5.

Abstract Background: The effectiveness of a new delivery system consisting of polymerized dilactide (PLA) with incorporated linezolid was investigated in a rabbit model as a means of treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis. Methods: The PLA-linezolid system was prepared after thorough stirring of PLA with linezolid at a 10:1 ratio. Experimental osteomyelitis was established in 40 rabbits by a modification of the Norden model with MRSA as the test isolate. After ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on MRSA published 5 May 2011:

Rectovaginal Staphylococcus aureus Colonization: Is it a Neonatal Threat?   Am J Perinatol.

We sought to determine the rate of STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS rectovaginal colonization and positive newborn blood cultures. Routinely obtained group B streptococcus (GBS) rectovaginal specimens were cultured for S. AUREUS using standard microbiology procedures. S. AUREUS- and GBS-positive blood cultures in infants less than 3 days old were determined from our microbiology database. Overall, 1488 rectovaginal cultures were obtained. Rates of positive GBS, S. AUREUS, and methicillin-resistant S. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Infection prevention and control in cystic fibrosis.   Curr Opin Infect Dis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will discuss recent studies of the virulence of cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogens, including epidemic strains, a more complex understanding of droplet transmission, bacterial contamination of CF clinics, and identifying and overcoming barriers to implementation of infection control guidelines. RECENT FINDINGS: Both morbidity and mortality are associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Thus, clinicians are attempting eradication strategies for ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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