Abstract and Introduction
We report an outbreak of 235 community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections among military recruits. In this unique environment, the close contact between recruits and the physical demands of training may have contributed to the spread of MRSA. Control measures included improved hygiene and aggressive clinical treatment.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was first recognized in the 1960s and has since become a well-known cause of nosocomial infections.[1] Recently, MRSA has been reported with increasing frequency outside healthcare settings.[2,3,4,5] Community-acquired outbreaks have been reported in a variety of populations, including prison inmates,[3,4] players of contact sports,[6,7] children in daycare,[8] and crewmembers of a naval ship.[9] These groups do not possess the risk factors traditionally associated with MRSA infection, namely, recent hospitalization, dialysis, residence in a long-term care facility, or intravenous drug use.[1,2] We report an outbreak of community-acquired MRSA infections among recruits at a large military training facility in the southeastern United States.
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2004;10(5) © 2004 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Views expressed are those of the authors and are not approved by or representative of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the Department of the Navy, or the Department of Defense.
Cite this: Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Among Military Recruits - Medscape - May 01, 2004.
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