Inadequate research on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus risk among postpartum women

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasingly important pathogen in obstetrics. MRSA infections can result in morbidity for both mothers and their infants. Over the past decade, MRSA infection has increased in pregnant women and neonates [1]. Indeed, there is increasing evidence that horizontal transmission from MRSA colonized mothers to their neonates plays a role in increasing neonatal MRSA colonization and, sometimes, infection [2]. Additionally, obstetric patients are frequently exposed to antibiotics, a known risk factor for infection by drug resistant organisms including MRSA.[3] Infection in the postpartum period is still common, even in developed countries [4]. Nonetheless, there is inadequate information in the published literature about the epidemiology of MRSA infections in postpartum women and no consensus on how to reduce the burden and consequences of such infections. This is worrisome given the urgency of the double threat of (multi-)drug resistance and stagnating antibiotic development.