title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: the superbug.
abstract: Over the last decade, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have emerged as serious pathogens in the nosocomial and community setting. Hospitalization costs associated with MRSA infections are substantially greater than those associated with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) infections, and MRSA has wider economic effects that involve indirect costs to the patient and to society. In addition, there is some evidence suggesting that MRSA infections increase morbidity and the risk of mortality. Glycopeptides are the backbone antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA infections. However, several recent reports have highlighted the limitations of vancomycin, and its role in the management of serious infections is now being reconsidered. Several new antimicrobials demonstrate in vitro activity against MRSA and other Gram-positive bacteria. Data from large surveys indicate that linezolid, daptomycin, and tigecycline are almost universally active against MRSA. This review will briefly discuss the epidemiology, costs, outcome, and therapeutic options for the management of MRSA infections.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani, Via Portuense 293, 00149 Rome, Italy. ippolito@inmi.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Francesco N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Lauria
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicastri
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wenzel
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D017576:Daptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008911:Minocycline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078304:Tigecycline; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000078304:Tigecycline; D008911:Minocycline; D000069349:Linezolid; D017576:Daptomycin