title: MRSA: a case of pathogens, politics and penalties.
abstract: In the current era of public scientific 'debate' such as the scientific merit of climate change, it should come as no surprise that a bacterium would have its 15 minutes of political limelight. Furthermore, a few dedicated citizens can truly influence the lives of many by changing the law of the land. For microbiologists, who often complain that our contributions go unnoticed and that we have no political power, this story serves to prove otherwise.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA. ejbaron@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Ellen Jo
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Hallie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology