Hospital and Separate Dialysis Units Have Similar MRSA Rates

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Georg Schlieper, MD

MVZ DaVita Rhein-Ruhr
Duesseldorf, Germany

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization in hemodialysis patients is associated with higher risk for systemic infection. Recent hospitalization and temporary dialysis access are known risk factors for MRSA colonization. Whether MRSA colonization rates in hospital-based dialysis centers differ from separate dialysis centers is unknown. Data on MRSA decolonization strategies in hemodialysis patients are scarce.


MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: From 2010 to 2016 nasal swab cultures (n=2506) for MRSA were performed in hemodialysis patients (i.e. 358±29 patients per year). The mean sceening rate was 85% (separate centers 96% and hospital-based 79%). The rate of positive nasal swab cultures for MRSA of all centers ranged from 1.1% to 2.8% (mean 1.9%).

Over the study period separate dialysis centers did not have significant lower MRSA rates when compared to hospital-based dialysis centers (1.5% vs. 2.3%, p=0.15). A significant difference in MRSA rates between separate and hospital-based dialysis centers could be noted in 2015 (1.0% vs 5.2%; p=0.036).

Decolonization resulted in a 92% reduction of positive MRSA results within 4-8 weeks (from 2.9% to 0.3%.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

1. No significant differences of positive nasal swab cultures for MRSA could be detected between hospital-based vs. separate dialysis centers.
2. Our MRSA decolonization strategy was effective.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Whether in-depth analysis of transmission ways may further reduce MRSA rates in dialysis patients remains to be investigated in future studies.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation: Abstract presented at the 2016 ASN

Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in Hemodialysis Patients: Hospital-Based versus Separate Dialysis Centers Georg Schlieper, MD; Sven Heinrichs, MD; Gerd Hetzel, MD; Werner Kleophas, MD MVZ DaVita Rhein-Ruhr, Duesseldorf, Germany

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on November 30, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD