CLENCHED-FIST INJURY COMPLICATED BY METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS

Hand infections are a common sequela of clenched-fist injuries. The ma jority of these infections are due to Staphylococcus and Streptacoccus species. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increa singly being isolated in Canadian health care facilities. In addition, MRSA now needs to be considered in community acquired hand infections that fail to respond to common empiric therapy. A 51-year-old man wit h MRSA due to a hand injury was treated successfully with vancomycin. The prevalence, mechanism of resistance and treatment of MRSA are brie fly reviewed.