Case Report

Community-Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Women’s Collegiate Basketball Team

Authors: Michael P. Stevens, MD, Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, Adriana Rosato, PhD, Michael Edmond, MD, MPH, MPA

Abstract

Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections are becoming increasingly frequent, and cutaneous disease with this organism is often seen in otherwise healthy organized sports participants. A case of CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in a female collegiate basketball player is presented, and screening and management of her team is discussed. Interestingly, multiple MRSA strains were discovered on testing of the team, raising concern that the prevalence of colonization in this population may be high.


Key Points


* Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) must be considered in any athlete presenting with a skin or soft tissue infection.


* The discovery of a CA-MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in an athlete has implications for the surveillance and management of other potentially exposed athletes.


* The discovery of multiple different MRSA isolates on team surveillance may indicate a higher than expected prevalence of colonization in this population.

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