Study: Gowns, gloves in ICU don't cut MRSA, VRE

From Lisa Schnirring at CIDRAP, excerpt :

" Wearing gowns and gloves in all patient rooms in intensive care units (ICUs) didn't lead to a significant drop in two key antibiotic-resistant threats, but the practice didn't seem to have any negative effects on patient care, according to a new study.

Though the trial, which covered ICUs in 20 US hospitals in 15 states, didn't reduce the rates of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), researchers did see a slightly lower risk when they looked at MRSA by itself.

The study authors, led by researchers at the University of Maryland, published their findings in an Oct 4 early online edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The group also reported its findings last week in San Francisco at IDWeek, the annual meeting of four major infectious disease associations."

Hong Kong : Update on cluster of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus cases in Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" Regarding the announcement earlier that some babies in the Neonatal Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) had tested positive for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a spokesperson for QEH made the following update today (March 2):

The hospital has arranged contact tracing in accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines and confirmed four more babies (two male and two female, aged 18 days to 3 months) as MRSA carriers today. They have no clinical symptoms and are in a stable condition. While awaiting laboratory test results, the patients concerned were put under isolation and enhanced infection control measures were implemented.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital has also enhanced its infection control measures and will continue to closely monitor the situation."

Hong Kong : Vigilance urged against community-associated MRSA

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (March 2) called on the public to stay vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.

The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving an 82-year-old woman living in Central and Western district.

The woman, with underlying illness, was admitted to Grantham Hospital for an underlying medical problem on November 30, 2011.

She presented with increased shortness of breath and sputum production on February 17. Her sputum culture grew CA-MRSA.

The woman is currently in a serious condition. Her home contacts are asymptomatic."

Hong Kong : Fatal case of community-associated MRSA

Press release from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a fatal case of invasive community-associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection involving a 61-year-old man.

The patient, with underlying illness, lived in Tsuen Wan. He presented with left neck swelling since January 17. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on January 27 and was diagnosed as having a left parotid abscess.

An operation was performed on January 30. The patient's condition deteriorated and he passed away on February 1.

The oral cavity swab and blood specimen taken from the patient grew MRSA.

He had no recent travel history. His household contacts were asymptomatic.

The CHP's investigation is ongoing."

Flesh-eating bug that you can catch on the bus or train is spreading in the UK

Via Mail Online :

" A flesh-eating form of pneumonia that is easily passed between healthy people on public transport is spreading across the UK, experts have warned.

The deadly strain of MRSA called USA300 passes easily through skin-to-skin contact. It can also survive on surfaces and so has the potential to be picked up on crowded buses and tubes.

It was first seen in the U.S but cases are now being reported in the community and not just hospitals in Britain.

Dr Ruth Massey, from the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath, said extra vigilance was required around this and similar MRSA bugs known as PVL-positive community acquired strains.

USA300 is resistant to treatment by several front-line antibiotics and can cause large boils on the skin. In severe cases, USA300 can lead to fatal blood poisoning or a form of pneumonia that can eat away at lung tissue.

Dr Massey said there were 1,000 cases of PVL-positive community acquired MRSA in England in the last year, of which 200 were USA300 strains.

Germany : Resistant Bacteria Found In Poultry Products

Via The Poultry Site :

" GERMANY : Of 20 chicken tests done at random in supermarkets and discount stores in Berlin, Hamberg, Cologne, Nuremberg and Stuttgart, 10 were positive with ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase) and methicillin resistant bacteria MRSA (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

"This is the result of persistent disturbing abuse of antibiotics," said the president of the environmental organisation BUND, Hubert Weiger, who criticised the use of antibiotics in animal production.

The organisation noted that the animals are subjected to prolonged treatment with a combination of different medicines.

According to Mr Weiger in intensive poultry rearing between 22 and 24 chickens are maintained per square meter. And having an increasing number of animals in too small a space is only possible using large amounts of antibiotics."

Hong Kong : Vigilance urged against community-associated MRSA

Article via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 13) called on the public to stay vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.

The appeal followed the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving an 80-year-old woman living in Kowloon City.

The woman, with good past health, presented with left knee pain and swelling for one month. She was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on November 28. The hospital confirmed the diagnosis of septic arthritis of her left knee and arthrotomy and drainage of her left knee was performed on November 30.

The pus collected from the patient grew MRSA. She is currently in stable condition in hospital.

She has no recent travel history. Her home contact did not have symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide."

US : Officials confirm MRSA case at Cluster Springs Elementary

Via Gazette Virginian, excerpt :

" Another confirmed case of MRSA has been reported in Halifax County Schools, this time at Cluster Springs Elementary School.

Deputy Superintendent Larry Clark said Monday, the student with a confirmed case of MRSA is currently under the care of a physician and information sheets for parents on MRSA went out to the students’ parents and guardians on Monday.

Staph bacteria, such as MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look like a pimple or boil and can be red, swollen, painful or have pus or other drainage, according to the fact sheet released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MRSA is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin.

The more serious infections may cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections or surgical wound infections.

In the 1990s, a different type of MRSA began showing up outside of hospitals and other health care facilities. The Mayo Clinic said in an article on its website that form of staph is known as community-associated or CA-MRSA.

This strain of staph is responsible for a number of serious skin and soft tissue infections and also for a serious form of pneumonia. Health officials said this form of MRSA can produce toxins, and if they become invasive they can spread through the bloodstream, making it much harder to treat."

Hong Kong : CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA

Via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 9) called on the public to stay vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.

The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving an 8-year-old boy living in Sham Shui Po.

The boy, with good past health, presented with fever and cough since October 28. He was admitted to Caritas Medical Centre on October 30. The diagnosis was pneumonia.

The boy is currently in stable condition. His sputum collected grew CA-MRSA.

He has no recent travel history. His home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide."

Hong Kong : CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA

Article via Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 25) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug resistant bacterium.

The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 16-year-old boy living in Sai Kung.

The boy, with good past health, presented with swelling in the left thigh since October 6. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital on October 9. He was admitted for treatment on the same day.

The patient is currently in a stable condition. Blood culture from him grew CA-MRSA.

His home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.

In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance.

It is widely recognised that indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to antibiotics resistance, a CHP spokesman said."

US : Parents informed of MRSA infection at Keller ISD school

Via WFAA, excerpt :

" The principal of Florence Elementary School in Keller has sent out a letter to parents informing them that an employee has the staph infection Methicillian-resistnat Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.

The letter said the district is following all recommendations of the Tarrant County Health Department."

US : 8 jail detainees have MRSA infection

Via Las Cruces Sun News :

" Eight of the about 850 detainees at the Doña Ana County Detention Center have been diagnosed with a highly contagious, drug-resistant bacterial infection.

Mary Lulu Hernandez's son is one of them and fears that the infection - MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) - could spread to officers or the world outside the walls of the jail.

Hernandez's son, a heroin addict, came into the jail already infected, she said.

But Detention Director Chris Barela said the jail is aware of the situation and people shouldn't worry about an outbreak.

"Jails, just as part of their environments, are going to have one or two or three (detainees) who have MRSA-related illness, just because of the conditions that they come from, the socioeconomic background, the stuff they've been involved in," said Barela on Thursday. "Often, those people who come in with MRSA go untreated until they get into the jail, when they get some treatment."

US : MVC employee’s death from MRSA probably wasn't from contact with client

Via Hudson Reporter, excerpt :

" BAYONNE An employee from the Bayonne office of the Motor Vehicle Commission died last week from a contagious disease that fellow workers reportedly claimed she caught from a client.

But Bayonne health officials said the disease could not have been contracted at the MVC office, and poses less of a risk than feared.

“Our health officer was there today,” said Bayonne Business Administrator Steve Gallo. “The disease was not likely spread at the office.”

Diagnosed last Tuesday Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Florel Galea, 28, of Elizabeth, was admitted to an Elizabeth hospital where she died of an effect that was resistant to certain antibiotics.

Gallo said local officials were told that the infection required more than the kind of casual contact someone would have had at the MVC office

Read more: Hudson Reporter - Bayonne official says MVC employee’s death from MRSA probably wasn t from contact with client."

US : Hospital privacy curtains laden with germs - study

Via Reuters, excerpt :

" The privacy curtains that separate care spaces in hospitals and clinics are frequently contaminated with potentially dangerous bacteria, according to a U.S. study.

To avoid spreading these bacteria, which can include the dangerous MRSA "superbug," health care providers should make sure to wash their hands after routine contact with the curtains and before interacting with patients, said Michael Ohl, from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, at a Chicago conference."

UK : Hope for powerful new C diff. treatment

Via EurekAlert, excerpt :

" New compound proves to be more effective in killing and preventing bug than one of the most widely used current treatments

MGB Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company which has licensed technology from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, is developing a powerful new antibiotic treatment for resistant infections including the deadly MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) bugs.

The Glasgow-based company is working on a new compound which has proved to be more effective in killing and preventing C diff. than vancomycin, currently one of the most widely used treatments against this bacterium.

The company has selected the compound, MGB BP-3, as a drug candidate for formal pre-clinical development, with clinical trials now scheduled for 2012.

The compound acts in minor grooves, found within DNA structures, and has potential to act as an agent against bacteria including C. diff. and MRSA.

C. diff. was involved in more than 3,000 deaths in the UK in 2010.

The findings of the research are being presented on Monday, 19 September, at the 51st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), held in Chicago.

Dr Miroslav Ravic, Chief Executive Officer of MGB Biopharma, said: "It seems we are hearing too much about Clostridium difficile infections these days in the press, especially those acquired in hospital by elderly patients in whom the infection can be fatal."

US : West Fork dealing with MRSA cases

Via Globe Gazette, excerpt :

" Public health officials believe seven cases of the staph infection MRSA have been found at West Fork High School.

One case of MRSA — that stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus — was confirmed by a physician.

Six other cases, first thought to be impetigo, are now believed to be MRSA, said Jenni Swartz, assistant administrator of Franklin County Department of Public Health.

Swartz said after speaking with Matt Hobson, a regional epidemiologist with the Iowa Department of Public Health, “we are going on the assumption” that all cases are MRSA. Since one case has been confirmed, it is more likely that all are MRSA, she said.

Ultimately, Swartz said, both MRSA and impetigo, another type of staph infection, are treated the same way, with antibiotics.

Symptoms of the bacterial infection include red, painful and swollen areas of the skin which can include boils or rash.

Football and volleyball athletes have shown signs of the skin infection, said West Fork Superintendent of Schools Darrin Strike. The first sign of an outbreak came about a week ago, he said."

US : MRSA strikes Kenston Community Education Center

Via The News Herald :

" More than six cases of the MRSA staph infection were reported within the Kenston Community Education football team this week.

Officials at the sports facility that serves Bainbridge and Auburn townships found out about the first case on Wednesday.

The student played on a community football team comprised of fifth and sixth-graders.

“We immediately sprayed the school’s turf with disinfectant.” Kenston Community Education Director Jennifer Holzheimer said. “We did not allow the kids to return until the locker room and equipment was done.”

She said letters were sent to parents with an information sheet on the infection.

Geauga County Health Board, Kenston School Board and the fall coaches were also notified about the cases."

Hong Kong : CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA

Via Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, excerpt :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 20) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug-resistant bacterium.

The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 73-year-old woman.

The woman, who has underlying medical conditions, presented with headache since May 31. She was found unconscious on June 6 and was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital. The clinical diagnoses were stroke and pneumonia.

The patient is currently in critical condition. Her sputum collected grew CA-MRSA.

The woman lives with her family in Canada. She came to Hong Kong on May 31. Her home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide."

US : Second MRSA Case Reported at High School

Via Hauppauge Patch, excerpt :

" Hauppauge school district officials are alerting parents to a second confirmed case of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus at Hauppauge High School this year.

The district sent out a notice to parents dated June 6, also posted on its website, that reads:

"Our district has just been notified that there is a confirmed case of MRSA in the High School. In response to this, the district acted upon protocols developed to help guard against the spread of this bacterial infection including sanitizing instructional areas."

Pam Donovan, a spokeswoman for the district, said no further details regarding the MRSA case will be released out of concern for the student's privacy. Information on the district's actions to sanitize the high school were not immediately available.

This is the second case of MRSA reported at Hauppauge High School this year. Junior wrestler Nick Mauriello spent weeks in intensive care at Stony Brook University Hospital after contracting a case of MRSA that developed into a Lemierre's Syndrome, a rare but deadly bacteria infection in the throat or mouth that spreads through the circulatory system."

Hong Kong : CHP urges vigilance against community-associated MRSA

From Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection :

" The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 3) called on the public to be vigilant against infection by community-associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a drug resistant bacterium.

The appeal was made following the CHP's investigation into a confirmed case of invasive CA-MRSA involving a 55-year-old man living in Wong Tai Sin.

The man with good past health presented with a painful facial swelling about one month ago. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of the United Christian Hospital on May 26 for head injury after a fall and was noted to have a right pre-auricular abscess. He was admitted for treatment on the same day.

The patient is currently in a serious condition. Wound swab taken from the patient grew CA-MRSA. Blood specimen from the patient also grew MRSA.

His home contacts had no symptoms of CA-MRSA infection.

MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. It is a common infection worldwide.

In recent years, many countries have observed MRSA infections in healthy individuals who have not been hospitalised or stayed in other healthcare facilities or institutions, nor received medical procedures in the year before the onset of symptoms. They are known as CA-MRSA infections and usually have special patterns of antibiotic resistance."