Community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an emerging threat

Lancet Infect Dis. 2005 May;5(5):275-86. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70112-2.

Abstract

Community-acquired meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming an important public-health problem. New strains of S aureus displaying unique combinations of virulence factors and resistance traits have been associated with high morbidity and mortality in the community. Outbreaks of epidemic furunculosis and cases of severe invasive pulmonary infections in young, otherwise healthy people have been particularly noteworthy. We review the characteristics of these new strains of community-acquired MRSA that have contributed to their pathogenicity and discuss new approaches to the diagnosis and management of suspected and confirmed community-acquired MRSA infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections* / mortality
  • Furunculosis / microbiology
  • Furunculosis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / physiopathology
  • Staphylococcal Infections* / transmission
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus* / pathogenicity
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents