High Incidence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Breast Implant Recipients

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Scientists have discovered a high incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in breast implant recipients, prompting concerns about antibiotic treatment. According to a recent report, bacterial infection is a well-known risk of breast implant surgery, occurring in 2.0 to 2.5 percent of cosmetic cases and up to 20 percent of reconstructive cases. The study aimed to assess the bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility of breast implant-related infections at two tertiary care hospitals in the Texas Medical Center.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 67% of infected breasts had S. aureus infections, with 68% of these being methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections and 32% being methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) infections.
  • The researchers noted that 6% of infected breasts had Gram-negative rods and 26% had sterile cultures.
  • The high incidence of MRSA infections justifies the use of antibiotics with anti-methicillin-resistant S. aureus activity for empiric treatment of breast implant infections.
  • One hundred six patients with 116 infected breasts were identified in the study, and 31 breasts in 26 patients met the inclusion criteria.
  • Patients were included in the study only if they had documented culture data and developed periprosthetic infections within 1 month after breast implant placement between 2001 and 2006.

Statistics:

  • 2.0 to 2.5 percent of cosmetic breast implant cases are affected by bacterial infection.
  • Up to 20 percent of reconstructive breast implant cases are affected by bacterial infection.
  • 67% of infected breasts had S. aureus infections.
  • 68% of S. aureus infections were methicillin-resistant.
  • 26% of infected breasts had sterile cultures.
  • 6% of infected breasts had Gram-negative rods.

Sources:

  • Feldman, E.M., et al. (2010). "Breast implant infections: is cefazolin enough?" Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 126(3), 779-85.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (no date). Perioperative Prophylaxis for Bacterial Infections. (via NewsRx.com)