AAD research shows athletes susceptible to MRSA

Schaumburg, Ill

- Methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus

is becoming increasingly common in people participating in sports, particularly high school and college athletes, according to a study published in the

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

.

The review found that physical contact, shared facilities and equipment, and poor hygiene all contributed to MRSA infections. The most widely reported contact sport linking MRSA to athletes is football, according to an expert.

Dermatologists note that modifications to the contributing factors could reduce the spread of infection.