MRSA in dermatology - Prospective epidemiological study in employees and patients of a dermatological department of a university hospital

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of MRSA has increased worldwide. There is a lack of systematic epidemiological studies evaluating the prevalence of MRSA in dermatology in Germany. Objective: What is the prevalence of MRSA in the employees and hospitalized patients in a dermatological department? What dermatological diagnoses have the highest risk for MRSA? Patients and methods: Nasal swabs taken twice (at admission and discharge) from all consenting hospitalized patients and once from all consenting employees were analyzed for MRSA. Results: Analysis von 798 swabs (715 patients, 83 employees). Detection of MRSA in 31 swabs (MRSA rates: all = 4.3 %, patients = 3.7 %, employees = 4.8 %). Patients with a chronic leg ulcer had a significantly increased risk for MRSA (p = 0.03). Increased MRSA rates without statistical significance were found for men, patients with at least one hospitalization during the last 12 weeks and a hospitalization of at least 5 days. None of the patients with psoriasis had MRSA. Conclusions: In comparison to international studies, the prevalence of MRSA in the current study is in the lower third. In dermatology, patients with a chronic leg ulcer have an increased risk for MRSA and should be screened at admission. A general screening for MRSA seems to be not reasonable in view of the low MRSA rates in the investigated department.