Methamphetamine Use and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections

• Main Authors: Adam L. Cohen, Carrie Shuler, Sigrid McAllister, Gregory E. Fosheim, Michael G. Brown, Debra Abercrombie, Karen F. Anderson, Linda K. McDougal, Cherie L. Drenzek, Katie Arnold, Daniel B. Jernigan, Rachel Gorwitz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2007-11-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Staphylococcus aureus; methicillin resistance; drug resistance; methamphetamine; street drugs; rural health
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/11/07-0148_article
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and methamphetamine use are emerging public health problems. We conducted a case–control investigation to determine risk factors for MRSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in residents of a largely rural southeastern community in the United States. Case-patients were persons >12 years old who had culturable SSTIs; controls had no SSTIs. Of 119 SSTIs identified, 81 (68.1%) were caused by MRSA. Methamphetamine use was reported in 9.9% of case-patients and 1.8% of controls. After we adjusted for age, sex, and race, patients with MRSA SSTIs were more likely than controls to have recently used methamphetamine (odds ratio 5.10, 95% confidence interval 1.55–16.79). MRSA caused most SSTIs in this population. Transmission of MRSA may be occurring among methamphetamine users in this community.