Wound colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and hypotheses about acquisition routes in rural healthcare settings in Sub-Saharan Africa: Perspective from a Center devoted to the treatment of cutaneous neglected tropical diseases.

A study in Benin found a high prevalence of wound colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (46.4%) in patients hospitalized in a cutaneous tropical disease treatment center. The proportion of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 54.3%, with 31% in outpatients and 51% in patients with a 20-day stay. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a diverse strain diversity and eight clusters indicating cross-transmission.