Methamphetamine Alters the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phagocytic Cells during Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection

Abstract

METH is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant that is frequently administered by injection. SSTI, common problems among injection drug users, result in serious morbidity for patients and costly hospitalizations for treatment of superficial wounds and incision and drainage of abscesses; however, there has been little etiologic or preventive epidemiological research on this problem. In addition, the evasive nature of injection drug users toward medical care complicates our ability to accurately predict the prevalence of these infections. Hence, this study investigated the impact of METH use on S. aureus skin infection. Our findings demonstrate that this drug of abuse promotes biofilm formation and negatively impacts the wound healing process and innate immune function, exacerbating susceptibility to S. aureus infection. The findings may translate into new knowledge and development of therapeutic and public health strategies to deal with the devastating complications of METH abuse.