An outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in dermatology indoor patients.

BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen. Indiscriminate and increased use of systemic antibiotics has led to the emergence of MRSA. Infected or colonized ward patients are the main reservoir of infection. Once colonized, the risk of subsequent local and systemic infections is high, especially in the elderly, and in debilitated and immunosuppressed patients. METHODS We report an outbreak of MRSA in the dermatology ward of a tertiary care hospital and describe measures taken to control it. RESULTS Ten patients were found to be MRSA positive over a span of three months while screening swabs from wet lesions in indoor patients. On the basis of risk assessment, they were treated with appropriate systemic and topical therapy. One patient died while the remaining nine patients showed a good response to therapy. All the MRSA isolates were found to be sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. CONCLUSION This is the first case report of MRSA infection in dermatology indoor patients in India.