Study sheds light on quantity of MRSA at different body sites

Washington, Jan 6 (ANI): A new study from Rhode Island Hospital has provided new insights into the quantity of MRSA at different body sites as well as the relationship between the quantities at different sites.

They found that culturing the nose was more likely to reveal MRSA than culturing under the arms (axilla), the groin, or perineum (skin between the rectum and genitals).

Also, when there was a large quantity of MRSA in the nose of a patient, it was likely that there was also a large quantity of MRSA in their axilla, perineum, or groin as well.

"This study shows us that the quantities of MRSA at different body sites are highly correlated. Also, if screening cultures are to be done for MRSA, it is best to screen the nose and groin to get the highest yield," said Leonard Mermel.

"We hope that that future studies will assess whether or not a greater number of body sites colonized with MRSA or a greater quantity of MRSA at those body sites impacts the likelihood of future MRSA infections."

The team, however, did not find a correlation between the number of body sites with MRSA and likelihood of having an active MRSA infection at the time the cultures were obtained or in the year before the study.

The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. (ANI)