Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: how reliable is laboratory reporting?

Microbiology laboratories in Oregon were surveyed in 1981 to determine how often methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was being reported to physicians in the state. Results of this survey were surprising in three respects. First, the mean percent of S.

Toxic shock syndrome in Oregon. Risk of recurrence.

To define the risk of having a recurrence of toxic shock syndrome, we collected information on 53 cases (42 definite and 11 probable cases) that occurred in Oregon between Jan 1, 1980, and May 30, 1982. For the 777 person-months for which follow-up information was available, only one probable recurrent case of toxic shock syndrome occurred. The low frequency of recurrences may be associated with the high frequency (91%) with which beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics were used in initial episodes of toxic shock syndrome and with the relatively low proportion (44%) of menstruating women who resumed the use of tampons after their first episode.