Question: What is MRSA?
Answer: MRSA is the acronym for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In other words, it is a type of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus(staph) that has become resistant to treatment with a certain class of antibiotics. In fact, most MRSA is actually multi-drug resistant -- meaning that infections with MRSA can only be treated with a few expensive drugs.
MRSA has been around for decades, and is primarily a problem in healthcare settings. According to the CDC, more than 85% of MRSA infections take place in healthcare facilities. The people at greatest risk of acquiring MRSA are therefore those who have recently been hospitalized and people with impaired immune systems such as the elderly, people on hemodialysis with indwelling lines (permanent catheter for access to a vein), and individuals with HIV.
It is important to know that most staph infections are not MRSA infections. Although MRSA infections are relatively rare, staph infections are actually one of the most common forms of skin infection in the United States. Most staph infection are minor skin infections -- simply pimples or boils -- and don't need antibiotics for treatment. However, staph can also cause more serious infections, such as pneumonia, infections of the heart lining (endocarditis), and blood infections, which require antibiotics for treatment. It is those types of infection in which the presence of MRSA causes the most serious problems.
Sources:
Binh An Diep et al. "Emergence of Multidrug-Resistant, Community-Associated, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clone USA300 in Men Who Have Sex with Men" Annals of Internal Medicine 148(4) Epub Ahead of Print. (Accessed 1/22/08).
CDC Community Associated MRSA Information Page (Accessed 1/22/08).
