MRSA throat carriage in two healthcare workers

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) experience negative consequences due to work restrictions, long-term sick leave, stigmatisation, eradication failures and psychosocial stress. Throat colonisation is associated with prolonged carriage and non-successful treatment.

Case presentation: We describe two Norwegian healthcare students with persistent MRSA throat carriage. After several eradication failures, MRSA eradication was successful only after tonsillectomy.

Interpretation: Tonsillectomy is not the solution for persistent MRSA throat carriage in healthcare workers. However, their stories illustrate the challenges they faced during repeated eradication attempts. They suffered considerable psychological stress due to the risk of study disruption and limited career options. The impact of laws and strict guidelines for MRSA-colonised healthcare workers, needs to be re-assessed in order to reduce transmission. We argue that healthcare workers without individual risk factors should be able to work in units considered to pose no risk as long as they undergo individual training in basic infection control measures.