pre-op swab negative for MRSA but positive for MSSA

This was part of my pre-op testing.  I know what MRSA is, and the paper I got told me what they would do for treatment if the MRSA swab came back positive, but the lab results posted online say it was negative for MRSA but positive for MSSA.  This is a medical area that I know absolutely nothing about, and I tried doing an internet search, but I am still clueless.  I seem to be reading contradictory things (or am misunderstanding some of what I am reading). 

Can someone who DOES understand this help me understand what the difference is and how/if they treat the MSSA (is it treated differently than MRSA)? I do understand that MSSA is NOT antibiotic resistant (although I am allergic to penicillin), but everything says it is a skin bacteria and I have no symptoms whatsoever.

Lora

I am by no means an expert, or even in the medical field, but from what I've read, it appears that MSSA is susceptible to methicillin, meaning that it is a staph infection on your sking that is not antibiotic resistant (which you know).  You also probably know that the recommended treatment is penicillin, which you can't have.  They'll give you something that you are not allergic to.

About 20% of the population has this infection and don't know it unless they are tested specifically for it.  From what I understand, It normally causes no problems until it manages to enter a skin wound and then can cause an infection, though some people may never have any problems with their skin bacteria. Once it gets into the blood it can travel to the heart and cause problems.

It's a type of staph infection commonly found on the skin and occasionally in the respiratory tract. Many people have it on their skin but never have it result in an infection of their tissues. They likely screened you for it because after surgery, you'll have an open wound (the surgical site), which would increase your susceptibility to developing a systemic infection. They may Rx an antibiotic before surgery, but they may also just have you bathe with antimicrobial soap for several days prior to the procedure.

Yeah, the Joint Center gives everyone a special antibacterial soap and instructions to use it to shower TWICE the day before surgery and then again the day of surgery as a general precaution.  The surgeon's office didn't call me about it, so I guess I will just wait to see if they call tomorrow.

Lora

I recently heard that the CDC has completed studies that support the JCHO's recommendation for this. :)

Sounds like a good precaution (especially since I am getting a massage the afternoon before my surgery).  Glad to know there is support for it.

Lora

God to know!  When is surgery day?

A week from tomorrow.  {deep breath...}

I still need to see a hematologist on Thursday morning, though, to get a script for some kind of  injectable anticoagulation therapy because today was my last day allowed of the Coumadin and my PCP wanted the same physician handling that both before and after my knee surgery (and the hospitalist said that after the surgery he would use some injection that neither my PCP nor I was familiar with).

Lora

There are a bunch of anticoags that hospitals use, depending upon what other meds you're taking and your particular situation (also, surgeon's preference plays into things.) They'll likely Rx lovenox or heparin (or similar) for your home injections for 2-4 days...generally it's 1 injection every 12 hours. If you want some resources for learning how to do the injections on your own, let me know.