What is Community Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?
Staphylococcus aureus are common bacteria that can normally be found in the nose, on the skin or in the lower intestine of any person. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that has built resistance to the antibiotic called methicillin, as well as other commonly used antibiotics. Around 25 to 30 per cent of people carry this bacterium and have no infection. These people are considered “colonized”. In the past, MRSA was found mostly in people who had been hospitalized, but now it is a growing concern in the community. Lately, MRSA has been found in people who have not been admitted or treated in a hospital setting; this is referred to as community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA most commonly causes skin infections such as pimples, boils or abscesses. Rarely, CA-MRSA can cause severe infections.
Related Questions
- Has the publication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) treatment guidelines increased the survival associated with MRSA bacteraemia?
- Can mupirocin prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections?
- What is Community Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus?
