Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in men having sex with men (MSM): a systematic review
Abstract
Background: Outbreaks of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have been documented at multiple sites worldwide. Several studies have reported an elevated infection rate of CA-MRSA infections in men having sex with men (MSM), suggesting CA-MRSA can behave as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). To assess the potential public health impact of CA-MRSA transmission amongst MSM, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify risk factors and prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization and infection in MSM.
Methods: The electronic database Embase.com (containing Embase and Medline) was systematically searched to identify studies investigating CA-MRSA colonization and infection from inception up to 19 January 2024. Two independent reviewers selected potentially relevant articles for full-text screening. Only English-language articles meeting the inclusion criteria were considered. In case of reviewer disagreement, a third independent reviewer was consulted. Information regarding prevalence, strains, and risk factors for CA-MRSA colonization and infection were extracted by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer.
Results: 54 studies were screened; 18 were included for analysis. Notably, 3 distinct CA-MRSA clusters were observed in MSM in the USA and Japan. Screening in other MSM cohorts did not reveal an elevated prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization or infection. Identifying as MSM by itself is not a risk factor for MRSA…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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