Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a strain of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to common antibiotics such as methicillin and oxacillin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 2.3 million people in the United States carry MRSA without any symptoms. Such individuals are at a higher risk for subsequent MRSA infection. However, all MRSA carriers are not the same and the colonization might be transient or might persist for months to years. The anterior nasal passages are a frequent site of MRSA carriage, along with the skin and throat.
Mupirocin Nasal Ointment
A small amount of mupirocin, which is available in ointment form, can be applied directly into both nostrils using clean hands to treat colonization of MRSA in the nose. The ointment is usually available as a single dose tube and is usually prescribed for a duration of five days for adults. The dosage might vary in children younger than 12 years of age and should be followed as per doctor's recommendation. According to MayoClinic.com, common side effects of mupirocin include headache, burning or stinging in the nose, change in taste, and stuffy or runny nose. Call the doctor immediately if the patient experiences chest congestion or cough.
Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse and Body Wash
A study published in the March 2010 edition of Archives of Surgery reported the effect of chlorhexidine whole-body bathing on hospital-acquired infections among trauma patients. The study revealed that daily bathing with cloths impregnated with 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate leads to a decreased rate of colonization by MRSA and other bacteria. Chlorhexidine is present in several prescription mouth washes and skin cleansers and might be prescribed to patients with MRSA colonization.
Antibiotics
Vancomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and clindamycin are some of the antibiotics that are effective against MRSA and low doses of these antibiotics might be prescribed to eradicate MRSA carriage. Antibiotics are available in oral or ointment form. According to an editorial in the January 2007 edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases, oral antibiotics in combination with rifampin ensure excellent penetration of the drug into various tissues and secretions of the body and has been effective in eradicating MRSA colonization.
Povidone-Iodine
Povidone-iodine is a combination of two chemicals called polyvinylpyridine and iodine and is available as an antiseptic cream or as gargling solution. This can be prescribed by the physician to eradicate MRSA from skin or throat. An article published in the November 2004 edition of the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia suggests that in patients with MRSA in their throat, gargling with povidone-iodine before the procedure of oral intubation, which involves insertion of a tube through the patient's respiratory or digestive tracts to prevent the collapse of airways, leads to complete eradication of MRSA.
References
- Family Practice News: MRSA Colonization may affect up to 2.3 million: the CDC recommends not just antimicrobials, but a 'multipronged" strategy.
- MayoClinic.com: Mupirocin (Nasal Route)
- "Archives of Surgery"; Effect of Chlorhexidine Whole-Body Bathing on Hospital-Acquired Infections Among Trauma Patients; Heather L. Evans et al; March 2010
- "Clinical Infectious Diseases"; Eradication or Decolonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage: What Are We Doing and Why Are We Doing It?; Suzanne F. Bradley; January 2007
- "Canadian Journal of Anesthesia"; Gargling with povidone-iodine reduces the transport of bacteria during oral intubation; Ogata J et al; November 2004
