Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (12)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Peacock, S.J.
Right arrow Articles by Bowler, I.C.J.W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Peacock, S.J.
Right arrow Articles by Bowler, I.C.J.W.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Q J Med 2002; 95: 405-410
© 2002 Association of Physicians

Commentaries

Preventing Staphylococcus aureus infection in the renal unit

S.J. Peacock, S. Mandal and I.C.J.W. Bowler1

From the Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford and 1 Department of Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the renal unit setting. It is the leading cause of haemodialysis-related bacteraemia and peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site infection,1–4 and an important cause of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.5 Since many such infections are potentially preventable, the institution of strategies that reduce infection rates represents an important element in the care of this patient group. This review examines the basis of prevention, together with its likely benefits and possible disadvantages.

Carriage of S. aureus is an important risk factor for infection

S. aureus carriage has been described as falling into three patterns in healthy adult populations, with approximately 20% of individuals being persistent carriers, about 60% intermittent carriers and 20% persistent non-carriers (reviewed in reference 6). Carriage rates are considered to be higher in the renal unit setting, although reported rates vary between centres from 37.5% to 57% for those on CAPD,7–10 and 37%–62% for those on haemodialysis.8,11–13 Possible explanations for this variation . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Acquired risk factors for S. aureus infection

How can S. aureus infection be prevented?

Infection control measures
The role of antiseptics
CAPD
Haemodialysis
Eradication of S. aureus carriage
Infection rates following eradication of S. aureus carriage in the nose
Haemodialysis patients
CAPD patients
Topical application of mupirocin to the dialysis catheter exit site
The practicalities of minimizing S. aureus infection

Conclusion

Notes

References


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Antimicrob ChemotherHome page
C. G. Gemmell, D. I. Edwards, A. P. Fraise, F. K. Gould, G. L. Ridgway, R. E. Warren, and on behalf of the Joint Working Party of the Britis
Guidelines for the prophylaxis and treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the UK
J. Antimicrob. Chemother., April 1, 2006; 57(4): 589 - 608.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]