Abstract

Staphylococci in the nose seldom cause harm, but can be readily transferred to sites more susceptible to infection. Mupirocin in soft paraffin, a non-irritant formulation for clearing nasal staphylococci, is now available as Bactroban Nasal (Beecham). It is marketed for the elimination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other staphylococci from the nose. How effective is mupirocin, and which patients really need treatment?