Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Athlete.

Although once considered only a nosocomial pathogen, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a rapidly emerging, problematic infection in the community. Community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is notably becoming more prevalent in athletic environments and unfortunately, can be easily transmitted via superficial abrasions and minor skin trauma. CA-MRSA infections are highly contagious and are associated with significant morbidity, with published reports of up to 70% of infected team members requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics . Risk factors for athletic related environments include contact sports with repeated close physical contact with other competitors, open abrasions, and sharing of personal equipment. Failure to correctly diagnose and appropriately treat skin and soft tissue lesions infected with CA-MRSA may contribute to large scale MRSA infections in athletic environments. The purpose of this review article is to help sports medicine physicians prevent, identify, and treat MRSA skin and superficial soft tissue infections in athletic environments.

Hypertension in athletes and active patients: tailoring treatment to the patient.

Understanding the hemodynamic responses to exercise in normotensive and hypertensive persons allows physicians to effectively treat hypertension in active people and athletes. If lifestyle modifications such as weight loss and moderation of sodium intake along with continued exercise are not effective, drug therapy can be added. Nonselective beta-blockers and diuretics may impair performance; cardioselective beta-1 blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and alpha-1 blockers are less likely to hinder exercise. Therapy tailored to the type and intensity of a patient's exercise and the stage of hypertension may allow him or her to participate safely without compromising performance.