MRSA, necrotizing fasciitis

Toronto - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may cause necrotizing fasciitis, especially in areas where community acquired MRSA is prevalent, researchers say.

Five of 30 cases (17 percent) of necrotizing fasciitis seen at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center over a 25 month period were caused by MRSA, researchers reported at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting.

Investigators recommend that doctors initiate antibiotic therapy for MRSA while awaiting cultures on lesions that appear to be necrotizing fasciitis, MedPage Today reports.