Situation of the worldwide incidence of MRSA

MRSA is still a consistent problem in shared facilities such as hospitals, healthcare facilities and nursing homes. Studies indicate that the incidence of MRSA in the past few years has extensively increased worldwide. An increase in antibiotic use (human & animals) and global travel supported these developments. According to the WHO globally some countries show higher MRSA rates: United states, Japan and southern European countries; others were able to control it like the northern European countries (Netherlands and Scandinavia).

After a dramatical increase of MRSA infections in Germany the number of infections has currently slightly decreased. Nevertheless, MRSA as a nosocomial infection is still a severe problem for intensive care units. The prevalence of MRSA varies between hospitals and even between different wards within the same hospital. Along with non-critical antibiotic use, the insufficient implementation of prophylactic hygiene measures and inadequate staff training are the main reasons for MRSA colonization. Insufficient MRSA management thus leads to the continued spread of MRSA in our hospitals. Urgently needed measures are the introduction of standard hygiene and adequate outbreak management, as well as control of antibiotic use. In particular, however, an MRSA screening based on rapid and reliable diagnosis during or even better before inpatient admission is indispensable.

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