Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections in primary healthcare in Denmark: a 12-year population-based study.

Abstract

A rise in community-onset Staphylococcus aureus infections has been observed in European countries. To ascertain secular trends of S. aureus infections in primary healthcare in Denmark, we conducted this register-based study in the North Denmark region, during the period 1997-2008. We identified all skin and mucosa specimens obtained by general practitioners and all prescriptions for the preferred oral anti-staphylococcal antibiotic, dicloxacillin. Repeat observations within a 12-month period were excluded prior to the calculation of age and gender standardised incidence rates per 100,000 person-years. We included 108,758 specimens, of which 42,778 (39%) yielded S. aureus. The annual incidence rate of specimens doubled during the study period, reaching 2,399 in 2008. The overall rate of S. aureus isolates increased 2-fold to a stable rate at about 850, but for isolates from children and for impetigo specimens, the increase was steeper, with a peak in 2002. A total of 156,462 dicloxacillin prescriptions had been redeemed and the annual prescription rate increased 2.5-fold, peaking at 3,714 in 2007. In conclusion, the annual rates of specimens, S. aureus infections and dicloxacillin prescriptions more than doubled in primary healthcare during the 12-year study period. A major impetigo epidemic and calls for antibiotic stewardship with increased utilisation of specimens were contributing factors.

• Authors: M Dalager-Pedersen, M Søgaard, H C Schønheyder
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 30 Issue 8 Pg. 951-6 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1435-4373 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21279531 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Denmark (epidemiology)
• Drug Utilization (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• Impetigo (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Incidence
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prescriptions (statistics & numerical data)
• Primary Health Care
• Soft Tissue Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Staphylococcal Skin Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Staphylococcus aureus (isolation & purification)
• Young Adult