Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis after elective vaginal prolapse surgery

Colonization with the virulent pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming more prevalent and can result in serious consequences for surgical patients. A 75-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus underwent elective uterovaginal prolapse surgery after an unsuccessful pessary trial. She was noted preoperatively to have MRSA colonization of the urine, and received 10 days of oral linezolid prior to surgery. Four weeks following surgery, the patient was hospitalized for MRSA sepsis. Numerous questions remain regarding the optimal approach to the prevention of MRSA infections in surgical patients. With the increased prevalence of community-acquired MRSA infections, further management strategies and identification of colonization status are necessary to circumvent potentially serious outcomes.