Significance of Airborne Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Unit

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Abstract
STAPHYLOCOCCUSaureus is a common pathogen observed in the head and neck region. Antibiotic treatment of most infections in the head and neck region must take into account the prevalence of this organism because S aureus is also one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. During the past 20 years, methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) has become an important source of such infections; this pathogen is presently responsible for up to 61% of Staphylococcus infections.1 Many patients in the otolaryngology unit have chronic or recurrent infections, such as chronic otitis media or sinusitis. Such patients may be prone to an increased rate of MRSA infections as the result of repeated antibiotic therapy.1 Furthermore, patients who have undergone head and/or neck operations, such as middle ear surgery, usually have long-term packing in their auditory canals or mastoid cavities; the packed gauzes are kept wet by transudates or exudates,2 and these materials are susceptible to contamination by pathogenic bacteria such as MRSA. Therefore, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery units are especially vulnerable to the spread of MRSA infections.3