MRSA--what is it, and how do we deal with the problem?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a serious nosocomial pathogen, and more recent reports in the scientific literature underscore the potential issues with emerging community-MRSA. MRSA is reported to be involved in > 50% of hospital S. aureus infections, more in the intensive care unit (ICU) than the non-ICU, and increases in multi-drug resistant MRSA and increasingly virulent MRSA have been reported. Together with its broad-based beta-lactam resistance, MRSA often possesses a multi-drug resistance genotype, including cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and macrolide resistances. MRSA has now emerged as the predominant nosocomial Gram-positive pathogen, and it has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Action must be taken to contain and eradicate MRSA through a combination of infection control, the development of novel anti-MRSA agents, development of vaccines and other non-traditional approaches of intervention.
Barrett
John F
JF
Merck Research Laboratories, 126 E. Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. john_barrett2@merck.com
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational