Report Highlights Methods to Curb Mrsa Spread

LONDON (Reuters) - Isolating infected patients in single rooms, protective clothing and using alcohol-based disinfectants are the top measures to curb the spread of the deadly superbug MRSA, health experts said on Tuesday.

A European Commission research project which studied 300 hospitals showed that those with the highest levels of MRSA, a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, had the greatest levels of antibiotic use.

"Although there are lots of infection control measures in use across the world there are only a few key measures that we find actually reduce MRSA," Dr Fiona MacKenzie, a microbiologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland and a co-ordinator of the project, said in an interview.

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, occurs most frequently in patients with weakened immune systems in hospitals and nursing homes.

Overuse of antibiotics is blamed for the development of superbugs such as MRSA. Poor hygiene and cleanliness standards contribute to its spread.

"Antibiotic use is certainly a big driver of resistance. But once you have resistance and it has been established, then infection control measures, or the lack of, cause cross-transmission between patients," she added.

The Antibiotic Resistance, Prevention and Control (ARPAC), project recommended strategies to control and prevent the transmission of MRSA. The findings were presented at the annual conference of Britain's independent Health Protection Agency (HPA).

NORTH-SOUTH DIVIDE

The findings show that hospitals in southern and western Europe had the highest rates of MRSA. Hospitals which isolated patients and whose staff wore gowns and gloves when dealing with patients and used alcohol-based disinfectants had low prevalence.

"It is a significant problem which has over the last few years significantly increased but there is some evidence it is levelling off," she added.

Countries in northern Europe, particularly the Scandinavian nations, have the lowest prevalence of MRSA.

"The worst is in the south. Turkey is the worst offender but the UK is not far behind," according to MacKenzie.

MRSA killed nearly 1,000 people in British hospitals in 2003. Dealing with the spread of the infection was a hot political issue during the country's recent general election. The opposition Conservative Party claimed the government's health targets had helped to spread the superbug.

MacKenzie said for the first time and on a rather large scale the project has provided evidence to show which measures work.

"Hospital managements are going to have to spend money and invest in reducing the problem by implementing key measures that we have proved to work," she added.

The European Commission will circulate the findings of the project and its recommendations to hospitals in Europe.