Cited by 69Antimicrobial Resistance in StaphylococcusMilk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy CowsAntibiotic Use and Resistance

Postpartum Mastitis and Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Open access
Reddy, Pavani, Qi, Chao, Zembower, Teresa, Noskin, Gary A., Bolon, Maureen·2007·Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract

This single-center, case-control study documents a relative increase in methicillin resistance among 48 cases of Staphylococcus aureus-associated postpartum mastitis during 1998-2005. Of 21 cases with methicillin resistance, 17 (81%) occurred in 2005. Twenty (95%) isolates contained the Staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec type IV gene; this suggests that the increase is due to community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This single-center retrospective case-control study found a relative increase in methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) among *S. aureus*–associated postpartum mastitis (PPM) cases from 1998–2005, with most MRSA isolates carrying SCC*mec* type IV, suggesting community-acquired MRSA. MRSA and MSSA PPM cases had broadly similar demographics, symptoms, and outcomes, but MRSA patients were less likely to receive timely effective antimicrobial coverage.

Key findings

  • Among 48 *S. aureus*–associated PPM cases, 21 were MRSA and 27 were MSSA; 17 of 21 (81%) MRSA cases occurred in 2005, and a relative increase in MRSA PPM was noted over the study period (p = 0.04).
  • Of 21 MRSA isolates available for PCR, 20 (95%) possessed SCC*mec* type IV; the remaining isolate contained SCC*mec* type II and was clindamycin resistant.
  • MRSA and MSSA patients did not differ significantly in age, pregnancy history, symptoms, or most potential risk factors; however, MRSA patients were less likely to undergo incision and drainage (1 [6%] vs. 9 [41%], OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.00–0.84, p = 0.01).
  • Among inpatients, MRSA patients were more likely to have temperature >38.1°C (6 [60%] vs. 2 [18%], OR 6.75, 95% CI 0.69–88.48, p = 0.05). Median time to effective MRSA coverage was 5 days (range 0–16 days), and only 2 patients received effective coverage at therapy onset.

Methods

  • Retrospective, case-control study at Northwestern University’s Prentice Women’s Hospital and affiliated Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center, including all patients with wound, fluid, drainage, or breast milk cultures positive for *S. aureus* from January 1998 through December 2005.
  • Case-patients had PPM with MRSA; control-patients had PPM with MSSA. Patients without evidence of mastitis or with a history of MRSA were excluded.
  • MRSA isolates were analyzed by PCR-based multiplex assay for SCC*mec* types I–V. Categorical variables were compared using χ² or Fisher exact tests; continuous variables used Wilcoxon tests, and trend was assessed with Cochrane-Armitage test.

Limitations

  • The paper states the study population is small, limiting generalizability; cases were identified by positive cultures, likely representing more severe or complicated infections; retrospective design limited thorough risk assessment; medical records may not capture CA-MRSA risk factors such as socioeconomic status, incarceration, or day care exposure; and assessing incidence would require prospective analysis.
  • The text also makes evident that isolates were not subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis molecular typing, household contacts’ charts were not reviewed, and the study was single-center.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3201/eid1302.060989

Cites

18 of 18 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

1 of 16 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data

    Ninety-five percent of MRSA isolates with SCCmec type IV were clindamycin susceptible.

    “In contrast, 95% of isolates with SCC mec IV were clindamycin susceptible.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    A relative increase in MRSA postpartum mastitis was noted in the later years of the study, with p = 0.04.

    “A relative increase in MRSA PPM was noted in the later years of the study (Figure 1, p = 0.04).”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · boosted
      “This single-center, case-control study documents a relative increase in methicillin resistance among 48 cases of Staphylococcus aureus–associated postpartum mastitis during 1998–2005.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Women with MRSA were significantly less likely to receive adequate and timely antimicrobial drug treatment.

    “In the current study, women with MRSA were significantly less likely to receive adequate and timely antimicrobial drug treatment, but consequences of this difference are unclear.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Medical record review of affected patients did not show transmission of Staphylococcus aureus to infants or other family members.

    “Medical record review of affected patients did not show transmission of S. aureus to infants or other family members.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Among hospitalized patients, MRSA patients were more likely to have fever than MSSA patients.

    “Although these inpatients did not differ in duration of symptoms before admission, length of stay, or leukocyte count, MRSA patients were more likely to have fever.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 12
  • May combine two claims. 15
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Risk factors associated with skin and soft tissue infections due to community-acquired MRSA have been described.

    “Although risk factors associated with skin and soft tissue infections due to CA-MRSA have been described (8,9), characteristics unique to patients with CA-MRSA PPM are unknown.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8] Naimi, 2003, Comparison of community- and health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection., JAMA source
    • cites [9] Charlebois, 2004, Origins of community strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus., Clin Infect Dis source

      The Risk factors for multidrug-resistant S. aureus section identifies homelessness, injection drug use, and year of culture as factors associated with community MRSA. The Genotypes of community-acquired MRSA section mentions treatment for skin or soft-tissue infections, but the paper does not establish risk factors specifically for those infections due to CA-MRSA. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Ten (48%) MRSA and 11 (41%) MSSA patients required hospitalization.

    “Ten (48%) MRSA and 11 (41%) MSSA patients required hospitalization.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Twelve MRSA patients received antibiotics effective against MRSA, but only 2 received effective coverage at therapy onset.

    “Twelve patients received antibiotics effective against MRSA, but only 2 received effective coverage at therapy onset (both received clindamycin).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Antimicrobial agent use was documented for 18 of 27 MSSA cases; in all 18 cases, isolates were susceptible to the initial antibiotic of choice.

    “Antimicrobial agent use was documented for 18 of 27 MSSA cases; in all 18 cases, isolates were susceptible to the initial antibiotic of choice.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Most women in this study underwent incision and drainage or wound aspiration without significant differences in outcomes.

    “Indeed, most women in this study underwent incision and drainage or wound aspiration without significant differences in outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Forty-six study patients had an abscess associated with mastitis; most (39 patients) underwent needle aspiration.

    “Forty-six study patients had an abscess associated with mastitis; most (39 patients) underwent needle aspiration.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    One patient in each group required readmission for recurrent symptoms.

    “One patient in each group required readmission for recurrent symptoms (Table).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    During 1998-2005 at a single institution, 48 cases of Staphylococcus aureus-associated postpartum mastitis were identified; 21 were MRSA and 27 were MSSA.

    “Forty-eight cases of S. aureus–associated PPM were identified during the study period; 21 cases were due to MRSA and 27 cases were due to MSSA.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In one MRSA patient, a perirectal abscess developed 5 months after the mastitis resolved, and intraoperative cultures of the abscess grew MRSA with identical susceptibilities.

    “In 1 MRSA patient, a perirectal abscess developed 5 months after the mastitis resolved. Intraoperative cultures of the abscess grew MRSA with identical susceptibilities”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Nine MSSA patients underwent incision and drainage a median of 4.5 days after aspiration, whereas only 1 MRSA patient required subsequent débridement 1 day later.

    “Notably, 9 MSSA patients underwent incision and drainage a median of 4.5 days after aspiration (range 0–17 days), whereas only 1 MRSA patient required subsequent débridement (1 day later).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The remaining MRSA isolate contained SCCmec type II and displayed resistance to clindamycin.

    “The remaining isolate contained SCC mec II (Figure 2) and displayed resistance to clindamycin.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacterium isolated from breast milk cultures in postpartum mastitis, representing 37%-50% of isolates.

    “S. aureus is the most common bacterium isolated from such cultures, representing 37%–50% of isolates (4,5).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] Marshall, 1975, Sporadic puerperal mastitis: an infection that need not interrupt lactation., JAMA source
    • cites [5] Niebyl, 1978, Sporadic (non-epidemic) puerperal mastitis., J Reprod Med
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as β-hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus in breast milk cultures is associated with longer time to recovery and more frequent abscess formation.

    “Although breast milk cultures are not routine in PPM management, the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria (such as β-hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus) is associated with longer time to recovery and more frequent abscess formation (3).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3] Osterman, 2000, Lactation mastitis: bacterial cultivation of breast milk, symptoms, treatment, and outcome., J Hum Lact source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Incision and drainage and wound aspiration are both considered appropriate surgical interventions for breast abscess.

    “both methods are considered appropriate surgical interventions (14).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Dener, 2003, Breast abscesses in lactating women., World J Surg source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Community-acquired MRSA isolates remain susceptible to multiple non-β-lactam antibiotics and possess distinct molecular features.

    “Isolates in these cases of community-acquired infection (CA-MRSA) remain susceptible to multiple non–β-lactam antibiotics and possess distinct molecular features (8).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] Naimi, 2003, Comparison of community- and health care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection., JAMA source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The prevalence of community-acquired MRSA is increasing among young children, and intrafamilial transmission of isolates has been documented.

    “The prevalence of CA-MRSA is increasing among young children, and intrafamilial transmission of isolates has been documented (11,12);”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [11] Herold, 1998, Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children with no identified predisposed risk., JAMA source
    • cites [12] Jones TF, Creech CB, Erwin P, Baird SG, Woron AM, Schaffner W. Family outbreaks of invasive community-associated methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusinfection [cited 2006 Dec 26]. Clin Infect Dis [serial online]. 2006 Mar. Available from http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/issues/v42n9/38813/38813.web.pdf source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Postpartum mastitis occurs in as many as one third of breastfeeding women in the United States and leads to breast abscess formation in approximately 10% of cases.

    “Postpartum mastitis (PPM) occurs in as many as one third of breastfeeding women in the United States and leads to breast abscess formation in ≈10% of cases (1,2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Barbosa-Cesnik, 2003, Lactation mastitis., JAMA source
    • cites [2] Foxman, 2002, Lactation mastitis: occurrence and medical management among 946 breastfeeding women in the United States., Am J Epidemiol source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Although the study results suggest a recent increase in MRSA postpartum mastitis, an assessment of incidence would require further prospective analysis.

    “Finally, although the study results suggest a recent increase in MRSA PPM, an assessment of incidence would require further prospective analysis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Patients were added to the study by using results of positive cultures; consequently, cases likely represented more severe and complicated infections in which cultures were necessary after routine therapeutic measures failed.

    “Second, patients were added to the study by using results of positive cultures; consequently, cases likely represented more severe and complicated infections in which cultures were necessary after routine therapeutic measures failed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study population is small, which limits the generalizability of the results.

    “First, the study population is small, which limits the generalizability of the results.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Medical record review may not indicate certain CA-MRSA risk factors, such as socioeconomic status, history of incarceration, or exposure to day care facilities.

    “In addition, medical record review may not indicate certain CA-MRSA risk factors, such as socioeconomic status, history of incarceration, or exposure to day care facilities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    A thorough risk assessment is limited by the retrospective study design.

    “Third, although PPM has been associated with multiple patient factors (i.e., difficulty breastfeeding, tobacco use, and stress), a thorough risk assessment is limited by retrospective study.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
22 of 22
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Characteristics unique to patients with community-acquired MRSA postpartum mastitis are unknown.

    “characteristics unique to patients with CA-MRSA PPM are unknown.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    SCCmec type IV is commonly associated with community-acquired infection.

    “which is commonly associated with community-acquired infection.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Reddy's study showed that the cessation of breastfeeding rate after mastitis in the MRSA group was 16% and that in the MSSA group was 22%, without a statistical significance.

    “However, Reddy’s study [13] showed a different result. Their study showed that the cessation of breastfeeding rate after mastitis in the MRSA group was 16% and that in the MSSA group was 22%, without a statistical significance.”
  • Breastfeeding can still be continued in patients with MRSA-infected breast abscesses during lactation.

    “Therefore, breastfeeding can still be continued in patients with MRSA-infected breast abscesses during lactation [13, 15].”

    From Clinical characteristics of lactational breast abscess caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: hospital-based study in China (2021) · cites this paper as [13]

    The Study reports treatment of breast abscesses but does not say whether affected women continued breastfeeding. The Conclusions note possible MRSA transmission through breast milk and call for further study of its consequences for infants; they do not recommend either continuing or stopping breastfeeding with an MRSA-infected abscess. Searches for breastfeeding continuation and interruption found no such guidance in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

  • MSSA breastfeeding-discontinuation percentage is misstated

    Minor

    The footnote gives 24 MSSA patients with data for this row. Five of 24 is 21% to the nearest whole percent, not 22%.

    Reported 22 · recomputed 20.833333

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Niebyl, 1978, Sporadic (non-epidemic) puerperal mastitis., J Reprod Med, 20, 97

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Reddy, P., Qi, C., Zembower, T., Noskin, G. A., & Bolon, M.
Affiliations
Northwestern University (US)
Venue
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Published
2007-02
Volume
13
Issue
2
Pages
298-301
ISSN
  • 1080-6040 (ISSN-L)
  • 1080-6059
OpenAlex
W2060238548
Cited by
69
References
18
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
FWCI
4.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Emerging infectious diseases (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (submittedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Northwestern University
  • Feinberg School of Medicine
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Antibiotic Use and Resistance
Keywords
postpartum mastitis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, community-acquired MRSA, antimicrobial resistance trends
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Mastitis, Retrospective Studies, Staphylococcal Infections, Staphylococcus aureus, Case-Control Studies, Methicillin Resistance, Community-Acquired Infections, Postpartum Period

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