Risk factors for hospital-acquired MRSA:
(1) prolonged hospitalization
(2) therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics
(3) therapy with multiple antibiotics
(4) prolonged therapy with antibiotics
(5) admission to a burn or intensive care unit
(6) presence of a surgical wound
(7) contact or close proximity to a patient with hospital-acquired MRSA
(8) enteral feeding
(9) mechanical ventilation
(10) previous history of colonization with hospital-acquired MRSA
(11) insertion of an intravascular catheter
Risk factors for community-acquired MRSA:
(1) prison inmate
(2) participation in a contact sport (football, wrestling, rugby)
(3) other sports (fencers, divers)
(4) child, especially if attending a day care center
(5) homosexual male
(6) soldier
(7) homeless person
(8) intravenous drug user
(9) member of certain ethnic groups (Eskimos, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders)
(10) use of a contaminated sauna
(11) previous history of colonization with community-acquired MRSA
Factors affecting spread of community-acquired MRSA:
(1) poor hygiene
(2) recent or frequent exposure to antibiotics
(3) contact with someone with a skin or soft tissue infection
(4) crowded living conditions
The epidemiologic distinction between hospital-acquired and community-acquired MRSA is blurring as the prevalence of both forms is increasing. The genetic information in the community-acquired form is smaller and easier to pass, so may become the predominant form.
