Factors for persistence of MRSA carriage one year after initial detection in individuals from various healthcare institutions.

Introduction And Objective: We studied the natural history of patients with chronic stable illnesses that are colonized by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The aim was to determine the persistence colonization 1 year after. Moreover, we intended to disclose factors that predict MRSA persistence.

[Prosthetic joint infection: a prospective study in five Catalonian hospitals].

Background: Prosthetic joint infections are a cause of increasing morbidity and medical expenditure.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and the clinical and the epidemiological characteristics of knee and hip prosthetic infections (PI) in patients undergoing elective surgery in five Catalonian hospitals. To determine the predictive factors of PI.

[Legionnaire's disease outbreak].

Background And Objective: To describe an outbreak of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in Mataró, Catalunya, Spain, in August 2002. The source of the microorganism was a cooling tower.

Patients And Method: Prospective and observational study with analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data.