Epidemiology of staphylococcal infections--a European perspective.

Multiple resistant staphylococci are a major health concern worldwide. In Europe, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) differs widely between countries in the south and those in the north. In The Netherlands, which has one of the lowest rates of MRSA infection in Europe, stringent infection control measures are in place which include the isolation of all carriers and the treatment of patients and staff carriers with mupirocin.