Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an injecting heroin user: implications for hygiene in police station custody suites

A 32 year old male was seen as a detainee, with multiple injection site abscesses. He was followed up in general practice, subsequent to debridement of injection site abscesses on both deltoid regions. Follow up swabs grew Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from both debridement areas. This case report confirms that MRSA can occur in heroin injection site ulcers in the UK. Such a finding in San Francisco is not unusual. Special care should be taken of post debridement ulcers found in a heroin injecting patient/detainee. MRSA could contaminate the custody area and all police authorities need to have an MRSA policy. This case report has implications for custody, suites in police stations, examination rooms and cell hygiene.