Internet Queries and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Surveillance

Abstract

The Internet is a common source of medical information and has created novel surveillance opportunities. We assessed the potential for Internet-based surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and examined the extent to which it reflects trends in hospitalizations and news coverage. Google queries were a useful predictor of hospitalizations for methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections.

Keywords

• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• MRSA
• bacteria
• antimicrobial resistance
• Internet protocol
• surveillance