Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in vascular surgery.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and to define risk factors allowing identification of high-risk patients for MRSA nasal carriage at admission to the vascular surgery unit. From March 23, 2004 to July 13, 2004, screening for nasal carriage of MRSA was conducted at admission to the vascular surgery unit and 1 week thereafter. To analyze risk factors for MRSA nasal carriage at admission to the vascular surgery unit, a case-control study was carried out in patients presenting colonization at the time of admission.