Treatment intensity and characteristics of MRSA infection in CF

Background Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and interchange of hospital-associated strains carrying the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec -II (SCC mec -II) with those in the community (SCC mec -IV) has increased. This study assesses the impact of MRSA and different MRSA types on clinical outcomes, medication use, and antibiotic sensitivities. Methods MRSA isolates from CF patients at our center were typed by SCC mec - and pv l status. Patient characteristics, lung function and nutrition are compared between MRSA types and to age, gender and Pseudomonas aeruginosa matched patients with chronic methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) infection. Results Seventy-two percent of patients carry pv l negative SCC mec -II isolates. Seventeen percent of all MRSA were SCC mec -IV pv l positive (USA300). These patients were younger and fewer had chronic P. aeruginosa infection, whereas pv l -negative SCC mec -IV isolates show highest antibiotic resistance. Nutritional outcomes and FEV1 percent predicted (75.1±2.7 versus 77.9±2.7) did not differ in patients with MRSA compared to those with MSSA but MRSA patients received more pulmonary maintenance but not oral antibiotic medications. Conclusion Patients with chronic MRSA are treated more intensely than age, gender and Pseudomonas aeruginosa matched MSSA-positive patients but clinical characteristics within MRSA patients vary depending on MRSA types.