- NEW YORK (Reuters Health)
-- Skin and soft tissue infections due to antibiotic-resistant staph appear
to be a growing problem among competitive athletes in the U.S., according
to a report released on Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
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- Despite this worrisome trend, there are several measures
that can be taken to prevent skin infections in sports participants, CDC
officials note. Among the most important is ensuring that all wounds are
effectively covered.
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- CDC investigators summarize several outbreaks of so-called
"methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" (MRSA) infections
that took place among athletes in the US between 2000 and 2003.
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- As they note in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report, a cluster of MRSA infections occurred most recently, in February
2003, among members of a Colorado fencing club and their immediate contacts.
A total of three confirmed and two probable cases were identified, and
all involved skin or soft tissue infections. All of the patients recovered
with antimicrobial therapy.
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- The investigation tracked the problem to a fencing wire,
a sensing device worn under the clothes, which was often shared by team
members and was not routinely cleaned.
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- In January 2003, an MRSA outbreak was reported among
wrestlers at an Indiana high school. The outbreak involved two wrestlers
who apparently had no direct physical contact with each other, but who
may have shared items.
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- MRSA skin infections were reported among college football
players in Pennsylvania In 2000 and in California in 2002. In both outbreaks,
skin trauma and sharing of items were cited as possible transmission factors.
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- "All persons associated with competitive sports
teams, including players, coaches, teachers, parents, and administrators,
can help prevent sports-related skin infections and should be aware of
prevention measures," the CDC states.
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- In addition to wound coverage, the CDC recommends that
sports administrators encourage good hygiene, make sure adequate soap and
hot water is available, discourage sharing of items, set schedules to ensure
regular cleaning of shared equipment, train personnel in the recognition
of infected wounds, and encourage athletes to report any skin problems.
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- SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, August
22, 2003.
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- http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=3318133
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