THE EMERGENCE OF A BAD BUG: TREATMENT, INFECTION CONTROL PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

摘要

S. aureus has long been recognized as an important human pathogen and is the leading cause of suppurative infections in humans, including superficial skin infections such as boils and furuncles as well as more serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, osteomyelitis and endocarditis. S. aureus is also a major cause of nosocomial infections, including surgical site infections and infections associated with indwelling medical devices. Currently, the proportion of S. aureus isolates that are MRSA is more than 55 percent in some U.S. human hospitals. Established risk factors for MRSA include current or recent hospitalization or surgery, residence in a long-term care facility, dialysis, and indwelling percutaneous medical devices and catheters. Recently, community-associated cases of MRSA have been recognized.