Posted on the OSN SuperSite April 5, 2008
Despite rise in MRSA rates in refractive surgery patients, consensus has not been reached on prophylaxis
CHICAGO — The prevalence of ocular disease due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is on the rise, especially in postoperative refractive surgery, according to a physician speaking here.
|
Vahid Feiz
|
"MRSA [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]
infections are changing from a primarily hospital-acquired infection to a
community-acquired disease process," said Vahid Feiz, MD, who spoke during
Cornea Day held before the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
meeting.
Story continues below↓
According to a 2004 survey on infectious keratitis after refractive
surgery, MRSA accounted for 61% of post-LASIK surgery infections.
Dr. Feiz suggested that broad-spectrum antibiotic consumption might have
helped to develop resistance. He cited a relationship between the growing use
of macrolides, cephalosporins and quinolones and the rate of new infections in
hospitals.
Practitioners have not agreed upon an ocular prophylaxis measure to
prevent MRSA in ocular surgery, Dr. Feiz noted.
"Preoperative antiseptics seem to be the most effective prophylactive
measure," he said, adding that povidine iodine solution has the highest success
rate. Use of preoperative nasal mupirocin ointment or oral linezolid in
high-risk patients may also be considered, Dr. Feiz said.
