title: Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Management and Prevention.
abstract: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was a rare phenomenon until the past decade; now CA-MRSA is endemic in many communities and is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections presenting to emergency rooms. CA-MRSA is distinct from its hospital-acquired counterpart, and has caused devastating infections in many healthy individuals. The epidemiology of CA-MRSA continues to evolve, and the challenge is to use the most appropriate and effective therapeutic and preventative strategies against this pathogen. This article reviews the current epidemiology of CA-MRSA, its definitions, and common clinical manifestations in the community. The article also summarizes current therapeutic options for CA-MRSA as well as strategies to reduce the transmission and the impact of CA-MRSA in both community and health care settings.
authors.affiliation: Program for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Erwin Road, Durham, NC, 27710, USA, Luke.Chen@Duke.edu.
authors.forename: Luke F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cody
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chastain
authors.forename: Deverick J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Anderson