Disseminated MRSA infections are the infections caused by strains of Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and are not restricted to the original site of infection but have spread to different parts of the body. Hospital-acquired disseminated MRSA infections have occurred frequently in individuals with reduced immunity. However, community-acquired infections in otherwise healthy individuals are also increasing rapidly. Antibiotics are the mainstay of the treatment.
Antibiotics
Disseminated MRSA infections can be life-threatening, and prompt antibiotic therapy is crucial for successful treatment. According to an article published in the October 2006 edition of "Chest," vancomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, doxycycline, linezolid and daptomycin are the most common antibiotics used. The choice of antibiotics depends upon the susceptibility patterns of the strains of MRSA prevalent in the region. Since most patients with disseminated MRSA infections are in serious condition, the antibiotics are generally administered intravenously for the initial two to four days. This is followed by oral antibiotics for two to four weeks for the complete eradication of the infection. All the antibiotics that are used to treat these infections have some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach and dizziness. The latest guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March 2006 recommend consultation with an infectious diseases specialist and use of multiple drugs for successful treatment of MRSA infections.
Surgery
The main characteristic of disseminated MRSA infection is its ability to spread to different parts of the body, and although antibiotics play a major role in controlling the infection, "Chest" notes that surgical drainage of the sites of infection and removal of the infected tissue may be the only way to control the infection and prevent multiple organ failure in certain cases.
Oxygen Therapy
Severe MRSA infections can lead to shortness of breath and a decrease in the levels of oxygen in the body. This is known as hypoxaemia, and it can be life-threatening. The condition can be treated by supplying oxygen to the patient at a concentration higher than in the room atmosphere using an oxygen cylinder and a nasal canula and face mask.
Antipyretics
High fever is often associated with disseminated MRSA infections and can be treated by administering antipyretics such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin orally or intravenously, as and when required. Antipyretics are generally safe, although overdose can lead to nausea, vomiting and upset stomach. MayoClinic.com warns against the use of aspirin in children younger than 18 years of age, as it can cause a serious side effect known as Reye's syndrome, which is characterized by swelling of the brain and the liver.
Intravenous Fluids
Intravenous fluids in the form of saline, which consists of 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution, can help to restore blood volume and treat low blood pressure and septic shock associated with MRSA infections that have spread to the bloodstream and the brain. The fluids are given using an IV bag and a hypodermic needle.
References
- "Chest"; Case Report: Disseminated, Community-Acquired, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in a Previously Healthy Pediatric Patient; Mac T. Waymen; October 2006
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Strategies for Clinical Management of MRSA in the Community: Summary of an Experts' Meeting Convened by the CDC
- Mayo Clinic: Reye's Syndrome
