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How to Treat Skin Infections, Including MRSA, in
2008
Erik Schraga, MD
Medscape J Med. 2008;10(5):109. ©2008 Medscape
Posted 05/05/2008
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, was recognized as a cause of
infection among hospital inpatients in the 1960s.[1] It since began to plague nearly every
US hospital. Community-acquired MRSA infections then arose over the last couple of
decades,[2] predominantly in patients with distinct risk factors. Subsequently, an
increasing number of skin and soft-tissue infections emerged among specific
populations, including intravenous-drug users, prison inmates, and military recruits.[2]
Now, MRSA has reached into the broader community and is afflicting otherwise
healthy patients. Clinics and emergency departments are now seeing an alarming
number of abscesses in patients without clear predisposing risk factors. Clinicians must
become skilled at appropriate management.
Yet management of cutaneous abscesses remains inconsistent among medical
practitioners. Recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America may
help to clarify proper treatment.[3] Small, superficial abscesses still may respond to
application of moist heat, but most cutaneous abscesses require incision and drainage.
Unless there is evidence of systemic illness or extensive surrounding cellulitis,
antibiotics are not indicated because they do not alter outcome, even in the presence of
MRSA.[4,5] Furthermore, cultures are not typically required or helpful for first-time
occurrences.[3]
Within locales and groups where there is a known prevalence of MRSA, patients with a
clear surrounding cellulitis who do require antibiotics should be started empirically on
antibiotics effective against MRSA.[4] Agents including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,
clindamycin, and doxycycline are all highly effective choices. Nonpurulent cellulitis,
however, is still largely caused by group A streptococcus, which is usually resistant to
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Empiric treatment with cephalexin is still likely
adequate. In cases of both cellulitis and abscess, the clinician must be aware of the
current antibiotic resistance patterns in the area in order to choose empiric therapy
wisely, since differences exist geographically.[1]
That's my opinion. I'm Dr. Erik Schraga, with Stanford-Kaiser Santa Clara Emergency
Medicine.
Reader Comments on: How to Treat Skin Infections, Including MRSA, in 2008
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Readers are encouraged to respond to the author at eschraga@gmail.com or to George
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References
1. Klevens R, Edwards JR, Andrus ML, Peterson KD, Dudeck MA, Horan TC.
Invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in the United
States. JAMA. 2007;298:1763-1771. Abstract
2. Daum R. Skin and soft-tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:380-390. Abstract
3. Stevens D, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis
and management of skin and soft-tissue infections. Clin Infect Dis.
2005;41:1373-1406. Abstract
4. Moran GJ, Krishnadasan A, Gorwitz RJ, et al. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus
infections among patients in the emergency department. N Engl J Med.
2006;355:666-667. Abstract
5. Hankin A, Everett WW. Are antibiotics necessary after incision and drainage of
a cutaneous abscess? Ann Emerg Med. 2007;50:49-51.
Erik Schraga, MD, Staff Physician, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame,
California; Clinical Instructor of Emergency Medicine, Stanford-Kaiser Santa Clara
Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Santa Clara, California
Author's email: eschraga@gmail.com
Disclosure: Erik Schraga, MD, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships in
addition to his employment.
Anibal
Anibal Sosa, MD
Director, International Program & Clinical Advisor
Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA)
75 Kneeland Street
Boston, MA 02111, USA
Tel: (617)636-2709
Fax: (617)636-3999
skype: adejsosa
Email: anibal.sosa@tufts.edu
www.apua.org
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