Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Perspectives on Measures Needed for Control

  1. Michael B. Edmond, MD, MPH;
  2. Richard P. Wenzel, MD, MSc; and
  3. A. William Pasculle, ScD
  1. From Medical College of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Requests for Reprints: Michael B. Edmond, MD, MPH, Medical College of Virginia, PO Box 980019, Richmond, VA 23298-0019. Current Author Addresses: Dr. Edmond: Medical College of Virginia, Division of Quality Health Care, PO Box 980019, Richmond, VA 23298-0019.

    Abstract

    Given the dramatic increase in the incidence of vancomycin resistance among the enterococci and experimental evidence for the transfer of vancomycin resistance from enterococci to Staphylococcus aureus, there is concern that strains of S. aureus will emerge that are resistant to vancomycin. The result would be a highly virulent pathogen for which effective antimicrobial therapy would not be available. To prevent the nosocomial transmission of such an organism, stringent infection control policies need to be developed and implemented. We offer proposals that are based on the limited data available on the transmission and control of S. aureus and that may be used as starting points for the development of formal guidelines for the isolation of colonized and infected patients and for microbiology laboratory precautions.

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    1. Ann Intern Med February 1, 1996 vol. 124 no. 3 329-334
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