Which of the following is considered the primary, most common pathogen implicated in post-operative surgical site infections (SSIs) following clean orthopedic or vascular procedures?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Staphylococcus aureus
- Step 1: Skin-colonizing flora are the predominant source of infection in clean surgical procedures where mucosal viscus is not opened.
- Step 2: Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) is the single most frequent causative organism.
Answer
Staphylococcus aureus.
Why not the others: 'Pseudomonas aeruginosa' is typically seen in water-contaminated burns or immunocompromised patients; 'Clostridium perfringens' causes gas gangrene in contaminated traumatic wounds; 'Bacteroides fragilis' is an obligate anaerobe from the colorectal lumen.
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