Deaths linked to MRSA have risen by 300% in a decade

DEATHS linked to the MRSA superbug in Scotland have more than tripled in a decade, figures revealed yesterday.

Last year 230 deaths were recorded as having MRSA as either the main cause or a contributory factor – up from 69 in 1997. And in just a year deaths rose by almost 8 per cent, up from 213 in 2006.

The figures come after a report earlier this week found that cases of MRSA and Clostridium difficile were now falling in Scottish hospitals. The Scottish Government said an increase in deaths last year was disappointing, but more recent reductions in cases were a cause for optimism.

Figures published by the General Register Office for Scotland showed that there were 56 deaths in 2007 where MRSA was recorded as the underlying cause – up from 51 in 2006 and just 13 in 1997. MRSA was noted as a contributory factor in a further 174 deaths last year, up from 162 in 2006 and 56 in 1997.

Earlier this week Health Protection Scotland (HPS) reported that MRSA cases fell 6 per cent between the first and second quarters of this year. C difficile cases also fell 7 per cent.

Experts believe part of the reason for rising deaths from superbugs such as MRSA and C difficile could be greater awareness. But in some cases it is also believed that more severe strains of disease and an increasing resistance to antibiotics could be contributing to rising mortality.

The Aberdeen-based microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington said there was no evidence to suggest that more severe strains of MRSA were linked to rising deaths. But he said a lack of investigation meant more serious types could be being missed.

"One of the issues I am concerned about is how thoroughly some cases of MRSA are investigated to reveal whether some types are causing more severe disease than others.

"There is a possibility that we could miss an opportunity to target these strains."

Margaret Watt, of the Scotland Patients' Association, said the latest figures on MRSA deaths were disappointing.

"We really need to keep our eye on MRSA, as well as C difficile," she said.

"It is scary if we are going to keep seeing an increase in deaths from both these infections."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "It is disappointing to see any increase in deaths attributed to MRSA infection. However, it is important to note that these figures cover the period to the end of 2007.

"Information released this week on serious MRSA infections in 2008 gives us cause for cautious optimism that a corner is now being turned," she said.

IN NUMBERS

185
cases of MRSA reported in Scotland between April and June this year, down 6 per cent on the previous three months.

30
per cent of healthy people estimated to carry Staphylococcus aureus – the bacterium linked to MRSA – harmlessly on their skin.

1,861
cases of C difficile reported in Scotland between January and March this year.

1,732
cases of C difficile reported between April and June.

597
death certificates mentioned C diff as a cause or factor, in 2007 in Scotland.

027
strain of C diff linked to more severe disease.

28
deaths linked to MRSA in NHS Lanarkshire in 2007, up from 18 the previous year.