MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Fact sheet

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain frequently-used antibiotics, including methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin.

This means that treatment may be longer, more expensive, more complicated, and harder to get right.
 
It is no surprise, then, that MRSA infections have become a serious topic of concern for hospitals and long-term care facilities during the past decade.
 
MRSA is resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics, which includes all penicillin medications and a very big group of medications called cephalosporins.

Infections with this species of Staphylococcus are present most frequently among people who have been admitted to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The first documented MRSA outbreak in the United States occurred at a Boston hospital as far back as 1968.
 
The fact is that this resistant and hardy bacterium is commonly found on human skin and the most common places include the inside of the nose, the armpit, groin, and genital area. When a person carries the bacterium without experiencing any health problems or illnesses of any kind as a result, it is called colonization. When the bacteria do cause illness, it is considered that this person is "infected" with Staphylococcus Aureus.

MRSA Superbacteria: Target population and risks

Older or very ill hospital patients are the most common target population for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria. People who use antibiotics frequently, intensively or for a long period of time, as well as chronic intravenous drug users, are at a higher risk of developing this kind of treatment resistant infection. Patients who rely on strong immunosuppressive medications, like those who were diagnosed with some kind of cancer, are also at an increased risk of contracting an MRSA infection.
 
However, anyone who has had any kind of operation is also vulnerable to MRSA, because an open wound is also a possible entrance for these bacteria — and even IV lines provide an entry point. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus rarely attacks healthy people.
 
People who have a urinary catheter should also be aware that they belong to the high-risk group of patients.

Transmission of MRSA infections

Super bacteria infections were always associated with hospitals, but in the last couple of years, physicians and other healthcare providers have noticed an increasing number of people infected with MRSA who lack the most common risk factors.

Therefore, there are two types on infection:

• Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections, which were acquired outside of the healthcare settings thus far known to be the highest risk factors
• Healthcare-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections, acquired in hospitals and other facilities such as nursing homes

Recent and excessive antibiotic use, recurrent skin diseases, and bad living conditions are the most common risk factors for MRSA infections in the community.

It has long been proven that MRSA lives on the skin and has the ability to survive on objects and surfaces for more than 24 hours. The fact is that MRSA is usually spread by direct, physical contact. Any indirect contact is also very important from the epidemiologic point of view because MRSA can also be spread through contact with objects such as towels, sheets, workout areas and sports equipment that have the bacterium on them.