Methamphetamine Use and Methicillin-Resistant<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>Skin Infections

Cohen, Adam L.; Shuler, Carrie M.; McAllister, Sigrid K.; Fosheim, Gregory E.; Brown, Michael G.; Abercrombie, Debra L.; Anderson, Karen; McDougal, Linda K.; Drenzek, Cherie; Arnold, Katie; Jernigan, Daniel B.; Gorwitz, Rachel J.

doi:10.3201/eid1311.070148

Cited by 45 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…There are few studies investigating the differences in routes of methamphetamine administration in relation to skin infection risk. Methamphetamine is known to cause formication and skin picking, leading to abrasions that violate the protective barrier against invading pathogens 35. Smoking methamphetamine, as opposed to injection of the drug, may involve the contamination and subsequent sharing of specific drug paraphernalia (e.g., pipes, straws) that transmit pathogens that colonize the nasopharynx more readily from person to person.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High prevalence of abscesses and self-treatment among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico

Pollini

Gallardo

Hasan

et al. 2010

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

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Summary Background Soft tissue infections are common among injection drug users (IDUs), but information on correlates and treatment in this highly marginalized population is lacking. Methods Six hundred twenty-three community-recruited IDUs in Tijuana, Mexico, completed a detailed interview on abscess history and treatment. Univariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to identify factors independently associated with having an abscess in the prior 6 months. Results Overall, 46% had ever had an abscess and 20% had had an abscess in the past 6 months. Only 12% had sought medical care for their most recent abscess; 60% treated the abscess themselves. The most common self-treatment method was to apply heated (24%) or unheated (23%) Aloe vera leaf. Other methods included draining the wound with a syringe (19%) or knife (11%). Factors independently associated with recent abscess were having income from sex work (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.08–10.00), smoking methamphetamine (aOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05–2.62), seeking someone to help with injection (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.18–3.61), and reporting that police affected where they used drugs (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.15–3.96). Conclusions Abscesses are common among IDUs in this setting, but appropriate treatment is rare. Interventions to reduce barriers to medical care in this population are needed. Research on the effectiveness of Aloe vera application in this setting is also needed, as are interventions to provide IDU sex workers, methamphetamine smokers, and those who assist with injection with the information and equipment necessary to reduce abscess risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High prevalence of abscesses and self-treatment among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico

Pollini

Gallardo

Hasan

et al. 2010

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

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“…Methamphetamine and cocaine use can result in formication, a sensation of something crawling on the body or under the skin, which can lead to skin-picking behavior, skin breakdown, and portals of infection (39,45).…”

Section: Substance Use Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathologic Skin Picking

Odlaug

Grant

2010

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

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“…59,61 Constant picking combined with neglect of hygiene also increase the risk for developing skin infections, including abscesses and cellulitis from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . 62 Along with abstinence from drug usage, dopamine antagonists have been shown to help patients with drug-induced formication. 57 Although formication is not unique to methamphetamine (it has also been reported with cocaine 63 and schizophrenia 57 ), the finding of multiple pockmarks on a patient’s face and extremities, or recurrent skin abscesses in these areas, should increase a clinician’s suspicion of chronic methamphetamine abuse.…”

Section: Formicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurologic Manifestations of Chronic Methamphetamine Abuse

Rusyniak

2013

Psychiatric Clinics of North America

106

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COMMENTARY ON METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE FOR PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE Every decade seems to have its own unique drug problem. The 1970s had hallucinogens, the 1980s had crack cocaine, the 1990s had designer drugs, the 2000s had methamphetamine (Meth), and in the 2010s we are dealing with the scourge of prescription drug abuse. While each of these drug epidemics has distinctive problems and history, the one with perhaps the greatest impact on the practice of Psychiatry is Meth. By increasing the extracellular concentrations of dopamine while slowly damaging the dopaminergic neurotransmission, Meth is a powerfully addictive drug whose chronic use preferentially causes psychiatric complications. Chronic Meth users have deficits in memory and executive functioning as well as higher rates of anxiety, depression, and most notably psychosis. It is because of addiction and chronic psychosis from Meth abuse that the Meth user is most likely to come to the attention of the practicing Psychiatrist/Psychologist. Understanding the chronic neurologic manifestations of Meth abuse will better arm practitioners with the diagnostic and therapeutic tools needed to make the Meth epidemic one of historical interest only.

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Methamphetamine Use and Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusSkin Infections

Abstract: Drug use may be contributing to the spread of MRSA in a rural southeastern US community.

Cited by 45 publications

References 21 publications

High prevalence of abscesses and self-treatment among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico

High prevalence of abscesses and self-treatment among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico

Pathologic Skin Picking

Neurologic Manifestations of Chronic Methamphetamine Abuse

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