title: MRSA: status and prospects for therapy? An evaluation of key papers on the topic of MRSA and antibiotic resistance.
abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious nosocomial pathogen, and a related community-sourced MRSA is emerging. MRSA has evolved to become the major S. aureus phenotype in the hospital, emerging from just 30 to over 60% of the S. aureus population over the past 15 years. Together with its beta-lactam resistance, MRSA possesses multi-drug resistance genotype, including quinolones, macrolides and sulfonamides. MRSA has now emerged as the predominant nosocomial Gram-positive pathogen, and it has a high rate of mortality. Action must be taken to contain and eradicate MRSA through a combination of infection control and the development of novel anti-MRSA agents and vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Merck Research Laboratories, 126 E. Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07650, USA. john_barrett2@merck.com
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Barrett
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification