Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous organism that colonizes the skin/nares and can cause invasive disease.

MRSA risk factors include:

• Health care exposure

• Antimicrobial use

• Incarceration

• Intravenous drug abuse

Can be broadly divided into health-care associated (HA) and community associated (CA).

HA-MRSA is associated with many hospital associated infections ranging from minor/severe skin and soft tissue infections to bloodstream infections and severe pneumonia. It also causes many device associated infection and prosthetic infections.

CA-MRSA is associated with skin and soft tissue infections (e.g. abscesses) and necrotizing pneumonias. However, it can also cause many severe infections as with HA-MRSA.