What Is
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S.
aureus) bacteria. This organism is known for causing skin infections
in addition to many other types of infections. There are other
designations in the scientific literature for these bacteria
according to where the bacteria are acquired by patients, such as
community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA or CMRSA), hospital-acquired or
health-care-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA or HMRSA), or epidemic MRSA (EMRSA).
Statistical data suggest that as many as 19,000 people per year die
from MRSA in the U.S.; current data suggest this number has declined
by about 25%-35% in recent years, in part, because of prevention
practices at hospitals and home care.
Although S.
aureus has been causing infections (Staph infections) probably as
long as the human race has existed, MRSA has a relatively short
history. MRSA was first noted in 1961, about two years after the
antibiotic methicillin was initially used to treat S. aureus and
other infectious bacteria. The resistance to methicillin was due to
a penicillin-binding protein coded for by a mobile genetic element
termed the methicillin-resistant gene (mecA). In recent years, the
gene has continued to evolve so that many MRSA strains are currently
resistant to several different antibiotics such as penicillin,
oxacillin, and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox). HA-MRSA are
often also resistant to tetracycline (Sumycin), erythromycin (E-Mycin,
Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, Ilosone), and clindamycin (Cleocin).
In 2009,
research showed that many antibiotic-resistant genes and toxins are
bundled and transferred together to other bacteria, which speed the
development of toxic and resistant strains of MRSA. S. aureus is
sometimes termed a "superbug" because of their ability to be
resistant to several antibiotics.
In addition, these organisms have been termed "flesh-eating
bacteria" because of their occasional rapid spread and destruction
of human skin. Additionally, a number of older (2004-2008) web and
popular press articles are titled or include the erroneous term "MRSA
virus." This is a misnomer that has confused many people; there is
no contagious MRSA virus, and if readers examine these articles,
they may realize the content is usually about MRSA bacteria.
Unfortunately,
MRSA strains of bacteria can be found worldwide. In general, healthy
people with no cuts, abrasions, or breaks on their skin are at low
risk for getting infected. However, the bacteria can be passed from
person to person by direct contact with infected skin, mucus, or
droplets spread by coughs. Indirect contact also can spread the
bacteria; for example, touching items like towels, utensils,
clothing, or other objects that have been in contact with an
infected person can spread the bacteria to other uninfected
individuals. Investigators estimate that about one out of every 100
people in the U.S. are colonized with MRSA (have the organisms in or
on their body but not causing infection) and these individuals may
transmit MRSA bacteria to others by the same methods listed above.
What are the
signs and symptoms of MRSA infection?
Most MRSA infections are skin infections that produce the following
signs and symptoms: cellulitis (infection of the skin or the fat and
tissues that lie immediately beneath the skin, usually starting as
small red bumps in the skin); boils (pus-filled infections of hair
follicles); abscesses (collections of pus in or under the skin); sty
(an infection of an oil gland of the eyelid); carbuncles (infections
larger than an abscess, usually with several openings to the
skin);impetigo (a skin infection with pus-filled blisters); and rash
(skin appears to be reddish or have red-colored areas).
One major problem with MRSA is that occasionally the skin infection
can spread to almost any other organ in the body. When this happens,
more severe symptoms develop. MRSA that spreads to internal organs
can become life threatening. Fever, chills, low blood pressure,
joint pains, severe headaches, shortness of breath, and "rash over
most of the body" are symptoms that need immediate medical
attention, especially when associated with skin infections. Some CA-MRSA
and HA-MRSA infections become severe, and complications such as
endocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis, sepsis, and
death may occur.
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