Aggressive decolonizing cannot combat reinfection potential

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that primarily manifests as uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections. We conducted a cluster randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether targeted intranasal mupirocin therapy in CA-MRSA colonized soldiers could prevent infection in the treated individual and prevent new colonization and infection within their study groups. We screened 3447 soldiers comprising 14 training classes for CA-MRSA colonization from January to December 2005. Despite CA-MRSA eradication in colonized participants, this study showed no decrease in infections in the either mupirocin-treated individuals or within their study group. Furthermore, CA-MRSA eradication did not prevent new colonization within the study group.