Researchers testing homes infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) found that using biocidal cleaners, such as bleach, can lead to the reoccurrence of multidrug-resistant MRSA strains.
Investors in the study collected household environment and pet samples from the MRSA-infected homes, Infection Control Today reports. During a 14-month period they tested whether household-wide efforts to eradicate MRSA were successful in reducing recurrence of MRSA among adults and children. They found evidence of the infection reoccurring among adults and children due to contamination of the household environment. Investigators suspect household behaviors, such as cleaning methods and antibiotic use, promote persistence of multi-drug MRSA strains, making reoccurrence more likely.
