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A High-Morbidity Outbreak of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Players on a College Football Team, Facilitated by Cosmetic Body Shaving and Turf Burns
Background. Athletics-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have become a high-profile national problem with substantial morbidity. Methods. To investigate an MRSA outbreak involving a college football team, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all 100 players. A case was defined as MRSA cellulitis or skin abscess diagnosed during the period of 6 August (the start of football camp) through 1 October 2003. Results. We identified 10 case patients (2 of whom were hospitalized). The 6 available wound isolates had indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (MRSA strain USA300) and carried the Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin gene, as determined by polymerase chain...
Modern Infilled Synthetic Turf Fields Don't Harbor Staph Bacteria or Cause MRSA, Studies Say
Skin infections associated with contact with synthetic turf have received national attention in recent years, but there is no scientific evidence to support concern that the surfaces of infilled synthetic turf (the kind containing crumb rubber found in all fields built since the late 1990's) harbor the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, the bacteria that cause MRSA, says a recent study. (Serensits, McNitt, and Petrunak 2011). Two previous studies (Kasakova 2005; Begier 2004) examined the causes and the role of infilled synthetic turf in MRSA outbreaks in football teams. While both studies concluded that turf burns caused by synthetic turf could facilitate skin infection...
An Athlete’s Guide to Prevent the Spread of Bacteria
NYSDOH Recommendations to Prevent CA-MRSA • Shower thoroughly with soap after all practices and competitions. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. If your hands are visibly soiled, wash thoroughly with soap and water. • Do not share towels or other personal items such as clothing, razors or equipment. Since these items can become contaminated and may spread disease, regularly wash items after each use. • Check your skin regularly for any reddened areas, pimples or boils causing pus, swelling or pain. • Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages. • All cuts and...
Skin Infections: Information for Coaches and Team Leaders
Skin infections account for up to 10% of time-loss injuries in some sports and can cause serious illness. Skin infections can be spread from one athlete to another. You can help protect athletes from becoming sick or losing playing time due to skin infections. Skin infections can lead to: Lost playing time Scarring, sometimes on face Wounds or rashes that keep recurring Rarely, serious life-threatening infections if not treated quickly The three most important skin infections are: Staphylococcus aureus “Staph” Caused by: bacteria Typically: one or more painful sores, with pus surrounded by redness, sometimes associated with fever Herpes Caused...
Preventing Skin Infections in Athletes
Skin infections are a leading cause of missed competition. Skin-related infections account for nearly 10 percent of high school sports-related health conditions or injuries in athletes. The number jumps to 20 percent for college-level athletes. Sports-related skin infections have a variety of causes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Most of these infections spread through skin-to-skin contact, poor hygiene or shared equipment or towels. Caring for athletes should include recognizing and evaluating these conditions to prevent the spread of infections between competitors. How do skin infections spread? Maintain clean facilities.Skin-to-skin contact Athlete A develops a skin infection, then spreads the infection...