MRSA Infections

Abstract

MRSA InfectionsM ethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacterium.Staph bacteria, like other kinds of bacteria, frequently live on the skin and in the nose without causing health problems.Staph becomes a problem when it is a source of infection.These bacteria can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects.Infections with MRSA are more difficult to treat than ordinary Staph infections because these strains of bacteria are resistant to many types of antibiotics-the medicines used to treat bacterial infections.Infections can occur in wounds, burns, and other sites where tubes have been inserted into the body.In 2005, there were an estimated 94 360 cases of MRSA infections in the United States.MRSA that is acquired in a hospital is called hospital-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA).MRSA infections are now becoming more common in healthy, nonhospitalized persons.These infections can occur among young people who have cuts or wounds and who have close contact with one another, such as members of sports teams.This type of MRSA is called community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA).The October 17, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article that documents the increasing incidence and burden of invasive MRSA infections.