Emerging Infectious Diseases (Dec 2001)

Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus in a Home Health-Care Patient

  • Jeffrey C. Hageman,
  • David A. Pegues,
  • Carrie Jepson,
  • Rose Lee Bell,
  • Mary Guinan,
  • Kevin W. Ward,
  • Martin D. Cohen,
  • Janet A. Hindler,
  • Fred C. Tenover,
  • Sigrid K. McAllister,
  • Molly E. Kellum,
  • Scott K. Fridkin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0706.010618
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 6
pp. 1023 – 1025

Abstract

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In June 2000, vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) was isolated from a 27-year-old home health-care patient following a complicated cholecystectomy. Two VISA strains were identified with identical MICs to all antimicrobials tested except oxacillin and with closely related pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types. The patient was treated successfully with antimicrobial therapy, biliary drainage, and reconstruction. Standard precautions in the home health setting appear successful in preventing transmission.

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