Clinical Study
Eye (2005) 19, 284–291. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701465 Published online 17 September 2004
External ocular infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
This study was presented in part as a poster at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress, Manchester, UK, May 2002.
V A Shanmuganathan1, M Armstrong2, A Buller1 and A B Tullo1
- 1Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK
- 2Department of Microbiology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
Correspondence: VA Shanmuganathan, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, B Floor, Eye and ENT Centre, University Hospital, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. Tel: +44 115 924 9924 ext 42025; Fax: +44 115 970 9963; E-mail: vijay_shan2000@yahoo.co.uk
Received 23 June 2003; Accepted 29 December 2003; Published online 17 September 2004.
Abstract
Purpose
To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of external ocular infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an ophthalmic hospital in the UK.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of the case notes of patients who had culture proven external ocular Staphylococcal infections during a 44-month period was undertaken.
Results
There were a total of 548 external eye infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Of these, 17 (3%) were MRSA positive. The most common presentation was conjunctivitis seen in six patients. All MRSA isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol. Ofloxacin resistance was observed in all isolates from patients over the age of 50 years. All patients had an underlying history of either an ocular surface disease, malignancy, or a debilitating medical illness.
Conclusions
MRSA is as yet an infrequent cause of external ocular infections. Patients typically have underlying ocular risk factors and/or are medically debilitated. Different strains infect young and old age groups with characteristic antimicrobial sensitivity. This study highlights the need for more work to establish the role of MRSA commensals and ocular infections.
Keywords:
MRSA, keratitis, conjunctivitis, dacrocystitis, ocular infection
