Universal MRSA nasal surveillance: characterization of outcomes at a tertiary care center and implications for infection control.

Background: Recognition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage by active surveillance cultures has been widely debated. Our institution implemented universal nasal screening by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for MRSA and isolation of screen positive patients in December 2007. Here we present data about the correlation between screen positivity and subsequent development of infection and the impact of isolation on surgical site infection rates.

Brevibacillus brevis peritonitis.

We present what we believe is the first case of Brevibacillus (Bacillus) brevis peritonitis in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly caused by the ingestion of fermented foods containing B. brevis spores. This case also demonstrates a pattern of antibiotic susceptibility with differing in vitro and in vivo bactericidal efficacy.