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15 Jan 2008

drug-resistant 'flesh-eating' MRSA bacteria hits MSM in san francisco and boston

A new, highly drug-resistant strain of the "flesh-eating" MRSA bacteria - which is known to thrive mainly in hospitals - is now being spread among gay men in San Francisco and Boston, researchers reported on Monday.

Sexually active gay men in San Francisco were 13 times as likely to contract methicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, than their heterosexual counterparts, said researchers at the University of California at San Francisco.

Magnified image of a cluster of drug-resistant staphylococcus aureus bacteria. To dilute the concentration of bacteria, researchers suggest taking a shower after sexual contact and the use of regular soap.
Based on a review of over 300 patients' medical records from nine hospitals in San Francisco and two outpatient clinics in San Francisco and Boston, and through chemical analyses, it is also found that the bacteria is spreading among the gay communities of San Francisco and Boston.

Researchers have found that the new strain of bacteria called USA300 is growing resistant - or unresponsive - to three or even four classes of widely used antibiotics.

The study - published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine - warned that the new strain which seems to have "spread rapidly" in gay populations in San Francisco and Boston, "has the potential for rapid, nationwide dissemination" among gay men.

The bacteria, which typically produces boils that can grow to the size of tennis balls, can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning) or a deadly flesh eating form of pneumonia that devours the lungs in severe cases.

Researchers estimate that about 30 percent of all people carry ordinary staph chronically and most of those who do carry it in their noses or may manifests as an abscess or cellulitis in the buttocks, genitals and anal area.

Staph infections often look like raised red dots on the skin. Left untreated, the areas can swell and fill with pus.

"Once this reaches the general population, it will be truly unstoppable," said Binh Diep, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco who led the study. "That's why we're trying to spread the message of prevention."

And prevention could just be as simple as soap and water.

"Taking a shower after sexual contact may minimise contamination," says Dr Chip Chambers, co-author of the study and director of infectious diseases at San Francisco General.

"Ordinary soap will do. It dilutes the concentration of bacteria. You don't need antibacterial soap."

Previously, MRSA infections have been documented in sports teams, prison populations, gym-goers and the community at large.

In December last year, a infectious disease expert in Hong Kong warned that visiting massage parlours or having facials may increase one's chances of contracting MRSA.

Even though the Department of Health conceded that there was insufficient scientific evidence to show a link between infections and massage parlours, the warning came after a finding that 10 percent of patients infected with MRSA in 2007 had visited massage parlours within 12 months of the onset of symptoms.

According to the health department, the number of reported community- associated cases jumped from 32 in 2006 to 175 in 2007, with two deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in 2005 some 94,000 people in the US became infected with MRSA, of which some 19,000 succumbed to it.

Reader's Comments

Comment #1 was deleted by its author
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5. 2008-01-15 20:16  
Don't tell me this is another round of disease after HIV that will stigmatize PLUs. As usual, the evil spirit is using new disease to stigmatize. The chain reaction will go on.

As PLUs, we must be alert:

1) Abstinence (celibacy), if not,
2) Same gendered monogamous marriage, if not,
3) Bathe with soap -> condom (sex) -> bathe with soap

It is bacteria, not virus, and could be easily prevented using soap.

Why does the article says MSMs are easily infected with this bacteria than heterosexuals? Using words like that will make people think in terms of sexual orientation than prosmicuity. Too dangerous.

Left-wingers, pray hard.
6. 2008-01-15 20:47  
time to stock up on the Vancomycins!
7. 2008-01-15 21:40  
Seems that gays are at the mercy of hardy bugs
8. 2008-01-15 22:20  
Oh great, as if we do not know HOW to take care of ourselves after having our 'fun'.

The gay people whom I know are into anal, oral, and even vanilla sex are all cautious individuals; condom users, mouth wash advocates, and after-sex bathers.

And these new STD's are really pigeonholing gay people as promiscous and uncaring of their own health. Reality check. NOT ALL of us are LIKE that.
9. 2008-01-15 22:35  
Many thanks for info on USA300. How awful, but very important for every gay in the world.
Thanks, Tige
10. 2008-01-16 00:50  
C'mon boys and girls, just because the news ain't pretty doesn't mean it ain't true. The sooner you snap out of denial, the sooner you'll be able to fix the problem.

Wash your hands like your momma taught you to!
11. 2008-01-16 03:06  
I know this will easily be misinterpreted as a new "gay plague". It is not. CA-MRSA spreads by close body-to-body contact when there is bad hygiene. As many have said here, soap or other disinfectants will prevent it. Just be clean. If you're infected (something like a pimple getting too big...), see a doctor. Antibiotic therapy will usually work, just not by penicillin/methicillin.
Also, I wanted to stress that the authors of this paper whom I know very well are top-rate scientists and clearly have the best intentions. By recognizing the problem, we can work on it.
We are all trying to avoid that the results are used in a wrong, political way.

Michael

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
12. 2008-01-16 04:11  
Thank god it's bacterial & not viral!

Anyway, I don't think (IMHO) the article is a 'segmentation' of gay people = spreaders of MRSA. I mean, it's published on fridae to inform the gay community of its existance & potential dangers, since the studies shown it could potentially spread among us. All the more reasons to have safe sex & practice good hygiene!
13. 2008-01-16 09:13  
imagine...dick rot...omg...
Comment #14 was deleted by its author
15. 2008-01-16 10:28  
Well, not that difficult to wash before and after having sex, right?
16. 2008-01-16 14:24  
This is why safe sex,using condom and hygiene is very important in sex.Please be careful t all of you out there,know your partners well before surrendering yourself.
17. 2008-01-16 18:49  
The bacteria at a glance . . looks very familiar. Like bittergourd dish found at local Yong Tao Fu stall . . .
18. 2008-01-16 22:52  
To runtime88 (post #13),

:D :D I never realize it until you mention it. Yes..one of my favorites..bittergourd with fish or pork meat in the middle...and i like fried pork meat 'yong' bittergourd..looking forward to taste it this Spring as I may pass by that miserable island..
19. 2008-01-18 07:25  
those bath houses are probably a great source of infection...also poor hygeine which I thought was just relegated to the bible belt..

In addition the great unwashed masses of street people of san fran...I waked aloing Market (from Castro to third) and was constantly accosted by dirty smelly street crackheads asking for a dollar.

Finally there are the medical staff who arrive at gyms after work in their hospital garbs....bringing their microbial pets with them. and gym locker rooms are a great breeding ground
20. 2008-01-18 14:26  
Haha, thanks runtime88- I'll nvr see the bittergourd in my yong tau foo the same way again =p
21. 2008-01-20 11:18  
If you've lived or visited SF you know that there are a lot of homeless in 94114 the Castro zip code. There have been several articles questioning the scientific validity of the conclusions. This does however look like the news flash of 1982 when the mysterious gay cancer was announced. Makes me sad to see this released for media appeal. US news is about selling papers so don't be fooled by poor research conclusions.
22. 2008-01-20 23:04  
The Christian Concerned Women for America have released a statement saying: "In recent years our culture has adopted a laissez faire attitude toward sexual deviancy. Television shows like Will and Grace glorify the homosexual lifestyle while our children are taught in schools that homosexuality is a perfectly healthy, alternative sexual 'orientation.' ...Citizens, especially parents, need to stand up and say, 'No More!"

This other piece of MRSA-related news didn't get enough airtime... apparently playing college football might also increase one's risk, not only due to locker room hygiene but also on the field.

I wonder will these "concerned women" will demand that their sons stop playing football then...
23. 2008-01-20 23:06  
Pro Football Players Pass Staph Infections
Staph Outbreak That Hit NFL Team Linked to Poor Hygiene On and Off the Field
http://men.webmd.com/news/20050202/pro-football-players-pass-staph-infections

Mounting a Defense Against Staph Infection

After observing the team in action, researchers pointed out gaping holes in the team's defensive lines against infectious diseases that left them vulnerable to penetration by bacteria like staph.

For example:

* Turf burns were reported frequently among players during games and practices (about two to three turf burns per week).
* Trainers who provided wound care did not have regular access to hand-washing facilities or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
* Towels were frequently shared on the field during practice and games with as many as three players per towel.
* Rams players often did not shower before using communal whirlpools.
* Weights and other training equipment were not routinely cleaned at the training facility.

I guess those who frequent gyms should beware too.
24. 2008-01-21 18:16  
MRSA is being spread everywhere, by everyone who comes into contact with it. The phrase "gay men" in the report above could easily be replaced by: college football players, professional athletes, doctors, lawyers, menstruating women at yoga classes, kindergarten children, christian conference-goers, las vegas gamblers, street people, international tourist groups....get the point? Wash your hands, brush your teeth and wash behind your ears regularly the way your mama taught all you good boys and girls.
25. 2008-01-21 18:25  
Please take a class in Statistics 101. Study the concept of "cause and effect". If a statistical study reveals a statistically valid "correlation" (or a relationship) between one event and another event, this does NOT necessarily proove a direct "cause and effect" relationship between the two events. Example: Yesterday there was an earthquake in Turkey. Yesterday I brushed my teeth....these two events are statistically correlated 100%...therefore, either the earthquake in Turkey caused me to brush my teeth, or brushing my teeth causes earthquakes. So, I must stop brushing my teeth, in order to stop earthquakes, or when earthquakes stop, I will stop brushing my teeth. It is so tremendously easy and convenient for the media with hidden special interest agendas to propegate pseudo-science upon a defenseless subculture like us. Personally, I'm sick and tired of it, and I try to tune this type of hype out whenever I can. I'm sorry I read this article.....
26. 2008-01-24 22:56  
Another propaganda Anti-Gay at best! At worst, lack of proof about what it tries to say!

Isn't AIDS that epidemic? How come all the gays are still living well?

Just read basic Chinese medicine books would understand that such western approach towards VIRUS is childish!
Comment #27 was deleted by its author
28. 2008-01-28 17:23  
Think that most of us are brain dead, or failed statistics during our school days.

Lets say 100 cases reported, and 25 are gays, it doesnt mean that look here, more of you are infected as compared to my kind ( gay that is ).

Gays just account for a very minute portion of the population and figures like that means we gays really have a huge huge problem and we should be very concerned.

Please, stop the stupid defensive approach and look at ourselves. It is this brainless approach that make us the targets for descriminations.

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