Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group
Back to OMIG Main Page

2011 Abstract List | Next >

2011 OMIG Abstract 1

Increasing prevalence of Methicillin resistance in Staph aureus infections, a 26-year
laboratory survey (1984-2010)
M.K. Shah, D.C. Ritterband, E. Wu, R.S. Koplin, J.A. Seedor
Departments of Microbiology and Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York City, NY

Purpose: To report the prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) among all Staph aureus isolates for a 26-year period at one institution.

Methods: Data on 16,815 S. aureus isolates submitted to the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary over a 26-year period were investigated. The percentage of S. aureus organisms that were Methicillin resistant were tabulated yearly and compared per decade.

Results: 16,815 S. aureus isolates were cultured over a 26-year period. Beginning in the 1980’s, there were 2,231 isolates from 1984-1989, of which 155 were MRSA (6.9%). From 1990-1999, there were 6,737 S. aureus isolates of which 685 were MRSA (10.0%). From 2000 to 2009, there were 7,434 S. aureus isolates, of which 13.8% were MRSA. In 2010, there were 415 S. aureus isolates, of which 20% were MRSA. In the last four years (2007-2010), the percentage of MRSA organisms has been ≥ 20%, a level not reached in any of the 23 years prior.

Conclusions: The percentage of MRSA isolates at our institution has gradually increased per decade. In the last four years, that percentage has reached greater than 20%; however, this is far less than has been reported in the systemic literature. This may be a result of our isolates being community acquired as opposed to hospital acquired.

Disclosure: N

2011 Abstract List | Next >