Community-genotype methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections in Latin America: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Community-genotype methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CG-MRSA) emerged in the 1990s as a global community pathogen primarily involved in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and pneumonia. To date, the CG-MRSA SSTI burden in Latin America (LA) has not been assessed. Objective: The main objective of this study was to report the rate and genotypes of community-genotype methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CG-MRSA) causing community-onset skin and soft tissue infections (CO-SSTIs) in LA over the last two decades. In addition, this research determined relevant data related to SSTIs due to CG-MRSA, including risk factors, other invasive diseases, and mortality. Data sources: Relevant literature was searched and extracted from five major databases: Embase, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and Web of Science. Methods: A systematic review was performed, and a narrative review was constructed. Results: An analysis of 11 studies identified epidemiological data across LA, with Argentina presenting the highest percentage of SSTIs caused by CG-MRSA (88%). Other countries had rates of CG-MRSA infection ranging from 0 to 51%. Brazil had one of the lowest rates of CG-MRSA SSTI (4.5-25%). In Argentina, being younger than 50 years of age and having purulent lesions were predictive factors for CG-MRSA CO-SSTIs. In addition, the predominant genetic lineages in LA belonged to sequence types 8, 30, and 5 (ST8, ST30, and ST5). Conclusion: There are significant regional differences in the rates of CG-MRSA causing CO-SSTIs. It is not possible to conclude whether or not CG-MRSA CO-SSTIs resulted in more severe SSTI presentations or in a higher mortality rate.

Relación entre hacinamiento e infecciones comunitarias de piel y partes blandas / Relationship between crowding and community acquired skin and soft tissues infections

La asociación entre diseminación de infecciones comunitarias, pobreza y hacinamiento es bien conocida. En nuestro hospital observamos casos esporádicos de infecciones post-cesárea por cepas de Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente de origen comunitario (SAMRCo). En un estudio prospectivo de familias de José C. Paz atendidas en nuestro hospital, investigamos la relación entre antecedentes de infecciones de piel y partes blandas (IPPB) y hacinamiento extremo (hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas tipo 3, (NBI 3). Fueron incluidos 264 hogares; 109 (41.3%) tenían historia de IPPB y 59 (22.3%) eran NBI 3. El 61.0% de los hogares NBI 3 y el 35.6% de los hogares no NBI 3 refirieron IPPB (p = 0.00047). Georreferenciamos los domicilios con Google Maps y los ubicamos en un plano de José C. Paz NBI del censo nacional 2010. En barrios con un porcentaje de NBI > 9.7%, el 51.2% de los hogares tuvo antecedentes de IPPB. Cuando este porcentaje era ≤ 9.7% el porcentaje bajó al 31.1% (p = 0.0019). Estos resultados son sugestivos de diseminación comunitaria de estas infecciones asociada a hacinamiento y barrios pobres. Se debe considerar la presencia de SAMRCo en IPPB comunitarias. Por ello, en mujeres procedentes de zonas con alto porcentaje NBI o con antecedentes de IPPB se podría considerar la inclusión de la vancomicina o la clindamicina en la profilaxis de los partos por cesárea.

The association of the spread of community infections with poverty and overcrowding is well known. In our hospital, located in José C. Paz, we assist sporadic cases of post-cesarean infections caused by community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CaMRSA). In a prospective study of families treated at our hospital, we investigated the relationship between a history of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and extreme overcrowding defined as households with unsatisfied basic needs type 3 (NBI 3). A total of 264 households were included in the study; 109 (41.3%) had a history of SSTI and 59 (22.3%) were NBI 3. A total of 61.0% of the NBI 3 households and 35.6% of the non-NBI 3 households reported SSTI (p = 0.00047). Using Google Maps, we georeferenced households and identified them on a NBI map adapted from the 2010 demographic census. In neighborhoods with NBI > 9.7%, 51.2% of the households had a history of SSTI. When NBI was < 9.7%, the percentage fell to 31.1% (p = 0.0019). These results are suggestive of an association of SSTI acquired in the community with overcrowding and poverty. The presence of CaMRSA in community SSTIs should be suspected. Vancomycin or clindamycin prophylaxis could be considered when cesarean deliveries are performed in women from areas with high NBI or with a history of SSTI.

Características clínicas y microbiológicas de las infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos por Staphylococcus aureus en niños de un hospital en Medellín durante los años 2013 a 2015 / Clinical and microbiological characteristics of skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in children in a hospital in Medellin from 2013 to 2015

Resumen Introducción: El principal microorganismo implicado en las infecciones de piel y tejidos blandos (IPTB) es Staphylococcus aureus, con incremento en las cepas resistentes a meticilina en los últimos años. Objetivo: Identificar la frecuencia de S. aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM) en IPTB en niños que consultaron a un hospital de cuarto nivel en la ciudad de Medellín. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, a partir de la revisión de historias clínicas. Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 18 años con IPTB causadas por S. aureus que no cumplieran con criterios de enfermedad invasora. Resultados: La prevalencia de SARM en esta población fue de 31%. El principal diagnóstico fue absceso cutáneo (68%), seguido por infección de sitio quirúrgico (15%) y celulitis no purulenta (6%). Tenían alguna co-morbilidad 85% de los pacientes. Todos los aislados fueron sensibles a rifampicina y cotrimoxazol. Ocho por ciento de los aislados fueron resistentes a clindamicina. Se encontró mayor prevalencia de SARM en lactantes comparado con los mayores de 2 años (60 vs 23%, p = 0,0109). Conclusión: Ante la alta prevalencia de SARM en IPTB se recomienda incluir en el tratamiento empírico antimicrobianos con cobertura para estas cepas, principalmente para lactantes.

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are very common in children and Staphylococcus aureus is the main agent, with an increase of methicillin resistant strains (MRSA) in recent years. Aim: To identify the frequency of MRSA in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in children from a high complex hospital in Medellin, Colombia. Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective study, information was obtained from medical records. We included patients younger than 18 years with SSTI due to S. aureus who did not meet criteria for invasive disease. Results: The prevalence of MRSA in this population was 31%. The main diagnosis was cutaneous abscess (68%), followed by surgical site infection (15%) and non-purulent cellulitis (6%). Eighty five percent of the patients had at least 1 comorbidity. All isolates were sensitive to rifampicin and cotrimoxazole and 8% of the isolates were resistant to clindamycin. There was a higher prevalence of MRSA in patients under 2 years compared to older (60 vs 23%, p = 0,0109). Conclusion: In view of the high prevalence of MRSA in SSTI, empirical treatment with adequate coverage for MRSA is recommended, especially for patients under 2 years of age.

Infecções da pele e de tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva: estudo retrospectivo em um centro terciário / Skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit: a retrospective study in a tertiary care center

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o prognóstico, os fatores de risco e a etiologia das infecções da pele e dos tecidos moles na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de uma coorte de 1.123 pacientes graves admitidos a uma unidade de terapia intensiva com o diagnóstico de infecção grave de pele ou tecidos moles. Resultados: Foram selecionados 30 pacientes, sendo 20 (66,7%) com fasceíte necrotizante, predominantemente da região perineal; 8 (26,7%) com abscesso cutâneo; e 2 (6,6%) com celulite. A maioria dos pacientes tinha fatores de risco, como imunossupressão e lesões cutâneas. O microrganismo isolado predominante foi Escherichia coli. Pacientes com fasceíte necrotizante na admissão à unidade de terapia intensiva apresentaram mortalidade significativamente maior (55%; p = 0,035), assim como aqueles com maior índice de severidade, choque séptico, parada cardiorrespiratória e leucocitose. Organismos resistentes à antibioticoterapia foram comuns, mesmo na ausência de fatores de risco. Quando presente, o fator de risco mais comum foi o uso prévio de antibiótico. Conclusão: Foram identificados fatores de risco e microrganismos diferentes dos classicamente descritos na literatura, além de elevada mortalidade da fasceíte necrotizante e presença de microrganismos multirresistentes na ausência de fatores de risco. Dada a aparente evolução etiológica das infecções da pele e tecidos moles, a identificação de novos fatores de risco e etiologia pode contribuir para uma terapêutica antimicrobiana mais adequada.

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify factors that may influence outcomes in patients with severe skin and soft tissue infections in the intensive care unit. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 1,123 critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit with a primary or secondary diagnosis of severe skin and soft tissues infection between January 2006 and December 2014. Results: Thirty patients were included, 20 (66.7%) of whom were diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis; in these patients, perineal area involvement was most commonly identified. Abscess was diagnosed in 8 (26.7%) patients, most commonly involving the cervical area. Risk factors such as immunosuppression and previous surgical trauma were commonly observed in this population. The most commonly isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli. Multidrug resistant microorganisms were commonly detected, even in the absence of traditional risk factors; among these patients, previous use of antibiotics was the most common risk factor for drug resistance. The rate of mortality was significantly higher in patients with necrotizing fasciitis (55%, p = 0.035) and associated with disease severity, presence of septic shock, cardiac arrest and leucocytosis. Conclusion: Different risk factors and etiologies of severe skin and soft tissue infections were identified. Necrotizing fasciitis and drug-resistant bacteria were significant predictors of mortality, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Obtaining a better understanding of trends in the risk factors and microorganisms associated with severe skin infections may help in the determination of prompt treatment and antibiotic choices.

Acinetobacter baumannii resistente a carbapenémicos causante de osteomielitis e infecciones de la piel y los tejidos blandos en hospitales de Medellín, Colombia / Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii causing osteomyelitis and infections of skin and soft tissues in hospitals of Medellín, Colombia

Introducción. Acinetobacter baumannii es una bacteria oportunista que infecta a pacientes gravemente enfermos, principalmente con neumonía asociada al uso del respirador y bacteriemia. La aparición de resistencia a los carbapenémicos limita las opciones terapéuticas para el manejo de las infecciones ocasionadas por esta bacteria. Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas y moleculares de las infecciones ocasionadas por A. baumannii resistente a carbapenémicos en hospitales de Medellín. Materiales y métodos. Durante dos años se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en cinco hospitales de Medellín. La información clínica provenía de las historias clínicas. La presencia de carbapenemasas se evaluó mediante el test tridimensional y la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. La tipificación molecular se hizo con electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado y tipificación de secuencias de múltiples locus. Resultados. Se incluyeron 32 pacientes, 13 de los cuales presentaban infecciones de la piel y los tejidos blandos (n=7, 21,9 %), y osteomielitis (n=6, 18,7 %). Los porcentajes de resistencia fueron superiores a 80 % para todos los antibióticos evaluados, excepto para la colistina y la tigecilina. Las carbapenemasas OXA-23 y OXA-51, así como la secuencia de inserción IS Aba1 , se detectaron en todos los aislamientos. La electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado reveló una gran diversidad genética en los aislamientos, y la tipificación de secuencias de múltiples locus evidenció la circulación de los clones ST229 y ST758 en la ciudad. Conclusión. Contrario a lo reportado previamente, los resultados del estudio revelaron que la osteomielitis y las infecciones de la piel y los tejidos blandos eran los principales cuadros clínicos causados por A. baumannii resistente a carbapenémicos en instituciones de Medellín, y resaltan su importancia como agente etiológico de este tipo de infecciones.

Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic bacterium which infects seriously ill patients, particularly those with ventilator-associated pneumonia and bacteremia. The emergence of resistance to carbapenem limits the options for the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium. Objective: To describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii in Medellín hospitals. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in five Medellín hospitals over a 2-year period. Clinical information was obtained from medical histories of patients. The presence of carbapenemases was evaluated by three-dimensional test and PCR. Molecular typing was performed using PFGE and MLST. Results: The study included 32 patients, 13 of whom presented skin and soft tissue infections (n=7, 21.9%) or osteomyelitis (n=6, 18.7%). Resistance rates of the isolates exceeded 80% for all the antibiotics evaluated except colistin and tigecycline. Carbapenemases OXA-23 and OXA-51, as well as the insertion sequence IS Aba1 , were detected in all the isolates. PFGE revealed high genetic diversity in the isolates and MLST showed clones ST229 and ST758 are circulating in the city. Conclusion: In contrast to previous reports, the results of the present study showed osteomyelitis and infections of skin and soft tissues to be the main infections caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii in Medellín hospitals and revealed its importance as an etiological agent for this type of infections.

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying SCCmec type IV in southern Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen commonly associated with nosocomial infections. However, it has also been associated with community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (CA-MRSA). There are few data on the identification and prevalence of CA-MRSA infections in Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 104 patients with community-acquired skin infections attending two health care centers in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. MRSA isolates were characterized by molecular methods, including detection of the mecA gene by PCR, gene SCCmec typing, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) detection, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS: From the 104 samples, 58 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained, of which five (8.6%) had a CA-MRSA-resistant profile. All five isolates had the mecA gene and amplified to SCCmec type IV. Analysis of chromosomal DNA by PFGE revealed the presence of two clusters related to international clones (OSPC and USA 300), with a Dice similarity coefficient >80%. The study was complemented by MLST, which detected three different strains: ST30, ST8, and ST45, the latter not presenting any relation with the clones compared in PFGE. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CA-MRSA reveals an important change in the epidemiology of this pathogen and adds new elements to the knowledge of the molecular biology of infections by MRSA with SCCmec type IV in southern Brazil.

Bacteriemia en pacientes internados con celulitis / Bacteremia in patients hospitalized with cellulitis

La celulitis es una inflamación aguda de la dermis y tejido celular subcutáneo de causa bacteriana, que generalmente complica a heridas, úlceras y dermatosis, aunque de manera frecuente no existe sitio de entrada. Se recomienda la realización de cultivo de punción de piel y partes blandas (PPB). Los hemocultivos raramente dan resultados positivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de bacteriemia en pacientes internados en nuestra institución con diagnóstico de celulitis. Se analizaron retrospectivamente los registros clínicos de los pacientes con este diagnóstico al ingreso entre junio de 2007 y marzo de 2010. Se evaluaron los datos poblacionales, presencia de comorbilidades, y resultados de los cultivos. En ese período, se internaron 140 pacientes con diagnóstico de celulitis y a todos ellos se les realizó hemocultivo y cultivos de PPB. Setenta y cuatro eran varones (52.8%). La edad promedio: 47.5 ± 19.7 años (rango 16-94). El 40% tuvo cultivos positivos de PPB, en los que el Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente (SAMR) fue el germen más frecuentemente aislado (35.7%); la prevalencia de bacteriemia fue del 8.6%, en donde el germen más frecuente fue Streptoccocus Beta hemolítico, grupo G (33% del total de hemocultivos positivos). La bacteriemia se asoció significativamente a mayor estadía hospitalaria (10.5 ± 8.9 vs. 4.9 ± 6, p = 0.004). Se asoció con mayor riesgo de hemocultivo positivo a ser diabético, tener cultivo de PPB positivo, consumo de alcohol y/o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

Cellulitis is an acute inflammation of dermis and subcutaneous tissue, usually complicating wounds, ulcers, or dermatosis. Even though in these cases it is recommended to perform culture from skin and soft tissue samples, the utility of blood cultures remains controversial due to the low frequency of positive results. Here we report the prevalence of bacteremia in patients with cellulitis admitted in our Hospital, and evaluate the presence of risk factors associated with the occurrence of this event. Clinical records of patients with diagnosis of cellulitis admitted between June 2007 and March 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients without skin and soft tissue culture and/or blood cultures were excluded. Demographic data, presence of comorbidities, and culture results were analyzed. In this period, 140 patients were admitted with this diagnosis. Fifty six (40%) of them had positive skin and soft tissue cultures; where methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most frequently isolated bacterium species (35.7%). Bacteremia was detected in 8.6% of these cases, where the most frequently isolated bacteria were Group G Beta haemolytic Streptococcus (33%). Bacteremia was significantly associated with longer hospital stay (10.5 ± 8.98 vs. 4.9 ± 6, p = 0.004). The following variables were significantly associated with the occurrence of positive blood cultures: diabetes (41.7% vs. 14.1%; p = 0.02; OR 4.4), positive skin and soft tissue culture (75% vs. 35.2%; p = 0.01; OR 5.5), alcoholism (16.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.01; OR 4.9), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16.7% vs. 0.78%; p = 0.01; OR 25.4).

Infecciones adquiridas en la comunidad por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina en un hospital de agudos / Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in a hospital for acute diseases

Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SAMR) es uno de los principales agentes asociados a infecciones intrahospitalarias; sin embargo, en los últimos años ha surgido como un patógeno emergente de la comunidad, causando infecciones graves, principalmente en jóvenes. Se describen 33 casos de infecciones por SAMR de origen comunitario, diagnosticadas entre mayo de 2005 y junio de 2006 en el HIGA "Eva Perón". Se estudiaron retrospectivamente los aislamientos; se confirmó la resistencia a meticilina mediante la detección del gen mecA, se investigó la presencia de genes que codifican dos factores de virulencia (leucocidina de Panton-Valentine -LPV- y g-hemolisina) y el tipo de casete mec mediante PCR. Todos los pacientes se encontraban sanos previamente. Cuatro pacientes menores de 12 años presentaron bacteriemia, uno con neumonía grave y los 3 restantes con infección osteoarticular; todos los pacientes mayores de 12 años presentaron infecciones de piel y partes blandas sin compromiso sistémico. Se constató la presencia de casete mec tipo IV en todos los aislamientos; la resistencia a meticilina no se acompañó de resistencia a otros antimicrobianos; los aislamientos fueron portadores de genes que codifican para LPV y para g-hemolisina. Es importante considerar la presencia de estas cepas de origen comunitario a fin de elaborar estrategias para su correcto tratamiento.

Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most prevalent pathogens associated with nosocomial infections. However, most recently, MRSA has arisen as an emerging community pathogen, causing serious infections, mainly among young patients. We herein describe 33 cases of infections caused by community-acquired MRSA (CMRSA), diagnosed between May 2005 and June 2006, at "Eva Perón" Hospital. The isolations were retrospectively studied. Methicillin resistance was confirmed by means of the detection of the mecA gene, and the genes for two virulence factors (Panton-Valentine Leucocidin -PVL- and g-haemolysin) as well as the cassette mec type were screened by PCR. All the patients were previously healthy. Four patients under 12, presented bacteremia, one had serious pneumonia, and the three remaining patients had osteoarticular infections; all the patients over 12, had skin and soft tissue infections without systemic damage. The C-MRSA strains harboured cassette mec type IV, and the PVL and g-haemolysin genes. They were methicillin-resistant, with no other associated resistances. It is important to consider the presence of these community- acquired strains in order to develop strategies for their correct treatment.

Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus prevalence amongst community versus hospital acquired skin and soft tissue infections

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] is becoming increasingly prevalent, not only in the hospital acquired but also the community acquired infections. Skin and soft tissues are a few of the important targets for this pathogen. A study was conducted at the departments of surgery, dermatology and pathology, Combined Military Hospital, Gujranwala Cantt to know the prevalence of MRSA amongst community vs. hospital acquired skin and soft tissue infections [SSTIs]. A total of 216 community acquired and 48 hospital acquired SSTIs were included in the study. The pus swabs/pus specimens collected from all the cases were processed for routine cultures. Isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus and resistance to methicillin was detected using standard techniques. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 64.35% of the community acquired and 72.91% of the hospital acquired SSTIs. Prevalence of MRSA amongst community acquired SSTIs was 26.6% while in the hospital acquired SSTIs was 68.57%. The study indicates quite a high prevalence of MRSA amongst community acquired and a very high prevalence in hospital acquired SSTIs. Further large scale studies are required to monitor the prevalence and spread of MRSA amongst SSTIs

Clinical versus computed tomography evaluation in the diagnosis and management of deep neck infection

CONTEXTO: Infecções profundas do pescoço têm um potencial alto para complicações graves e morte, se não corretamente diagnosticadas e tratadas. A diferença entre resultados de avaliação clínica e tomográfica pode demonstrar que a avaliação clínica isolada subestima a extensão de doença, o que pode conduzir a tratamento conservador e a pior prognóstico. OBJETIVO: Comparar achados clínicos à tomografia computadorizada de pescoço em relação aos espaços cervicais envolvidos e determinar as características clínicas e radiológicas principais associadas com infecção de espaço profundo de pescoço. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo retrospectivo não randomizado. LOCAL: Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia - Cabeça e Pescoço, Universidade Estatal de Campinas, Brasil, um centro universitário, terciário. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado prontuário médico de 65 pacientes com infecções profundas de pescoço. Foram analisados idade, gênero, queixas clínicas, exames físicos, resultados de raios-x e tomografia computadorizada, microbiologia, tratamento e resultados. Foram avaliados os sinais clínicos e sintomas, estratificados em ordem de freqüência. A freqüência de espaços cervicais profundos envolvidos nesta infecção também foram avaliados clínico e tomograficamente. Todos resultados clínicos e tomográficos foram comparados com a observação cirúrgica em relação aos espaços cervicais afetados por infecção. RESULTADOS: Os resultados clínicos mais freqüentes foram inchaço cervical, dor local, eritema cutâneo local e aumento localizado de temperatura. O local mais afetado de acordo com a avaliação física foi o triângulo de submandibular (49,2%), mas, à tomografia computadorizada cervical, foi o espaço látero-faríngeo (65%). Mais de um espaço cervical profundo foi acometido, de acordo com a tomografia computadorizada cervical, em 90% dos pacientes, como demonstrado pela extensão do edema e aumento de captação de tecidos moles, e em geral apenas um espaço à avaliação clínica isolada. DISCUSSAO: Os sintomas clínicos mais freqüentes das infecções cervicais profundas foram dor cervical, aumento de volume cervical e febre. Sinais importantes da tomografia computadorizada, para avaliação desta infecção, foram aumento de captação de contraste em tecidos moles do pescoço e edema. O espaço profundo do pescoço mais afetado pela infecção foi o laterofaríngeo, pela tomografia computadorizada do pescoço. O espaço...

Spectrum of beta-haemolytic streptococcal soft tissue infections at a tertiary care hospital of north india.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: An increase in the incidence of invasive beta haemolytic streptococcal infections has been observed in many Western countries. However, the role of beta-haemolytic streptococci in soft tissue infections is not well documented in developing countries. A retrospective study was carried out to review the spectrum of soft tissue infections caused by beta-haemolytic streptococci (betaHS) in a tertiary care hospital of north India. METHODS: The laboratory records of all patients with betaHS isolated from soft tissues between January 1996 and December 2000 were reviewed. Detailed clinical, laboratory and demographic data were recorded for all patients. RESULTS: A total of 39288 samples from soft tissue infections were received in the bacteriology laboratory for bacterial culture during the study period. betaHS were recovered from 205 samples. Of these, 56 per cent isolates were obtained from patients of suspected osteomyelitis. A seasonal pattern was observed with maximum isolation occuring in the winter months. Group A was the commonest isolate (75%), followed by group B Streptococcus (11%). Group C and G betaHS together accounted for about 3 per cent of all the isolates. All the isolates were sensitive to penicillin. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Soft tissue infections due to betaHS are common in our country. Group A streptococci were encountered most frequently with these infections though other groups of betaHS also contributed substantially. Since these infections are life threatening, there is a need to develop preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against betaHS.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, between June 1995 and May 1996 was determined. The MRSA prevalence rate was 4.6of all S aureus isolates, with all but one nosocomially acquired. 15 isolates were associated with infections, and three were colonizing strains. 17 of the 18 patients with MRSA had received antibiotics previously, including 13 who had received multiple antibiotics. Skin and soft tissue were the sites of infection and colonization in 12 cases; and surgical wards and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) accounted for 16 MRSA isolates. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and all but one were resistant to gentamicin. MRSA occurred sporadically in a wide distribution of wards and physicians' services, although the isolation of three strains from the ICU and three strains from a surgical ward were temporally related. Only one of two deaths was attributable to MRSA. Control of the spread of MRSA in this hospital must include the reinforcement of the appropriate use of antibiotics, hand washing and appropriate isolation of patients in the surgical and intensive care wards.

Síndrome de RS3PE

La sinovitis simétrica seronegativa remitente con edema blando (Síndorme R S3 P E por las iniciales en ingles) constituye una forma diferente de artritis que se observa en personas de edad, generalmente mayores de 60 años y se caracteriza por tener pronóstico excelente a pesar de iniciarse en forma aguda e incapacitante en la mayoría de los casos. Se presenta el resumen de dos historias que reunen los criterios clínicos establecidos para esta entidad.