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Does the Nose Know? An Update on MRSA Decolonization Strategies

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Abstract

Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important step in the pathogenesis of active infection and is a key factor in the epidemiology of MRSA infection. Decolonization of patients found to have MRSA carriage may be of value in certain patient populations, especially those undergoing elective surgery. However, the most commonly used agent for decolonization, mupirocin, comes with a considerable risk of resistance if widely employed. Recent studies of other novel agents for decolonization show promise, but further research is necessary. This review focuses on the pathogenesis from MRSA colonization to infection, identifies the risk factors for colonization, and summarizes decolonization strategies, including novel approaches that may have a role in decreasing MRSA disease burden.

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Funding

Nasia Safdar received a MERIT grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Conflict of Interest

C.L. Abad M. S. Pulia and N. Safdar declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Medical City, Pasig City, Philippines

    C. L. Abad

  2. Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA

    M. S. Pulia

  3. William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI, USA

    N. Safdar

  4. Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, MFCB 5221, 1685 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    N. Safdar

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  1. C. L. Abad
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  2. M. S. Pulia
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Abad, C.L., Pulia, M.S. & Safdar, N. Does the Nose Know? An Update on MRSA Decolonization Strategies. Curr Infect Dis Rep 15, 455–464 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-013-0364-y

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