title: Global epidemiology of community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA).
abstract: During the 1990s, various reports of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections appeared in the literature, caused by novel strains genetically distinct from traditional healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Numerous lineages of CA-MRSA have since emerged on every continent, several of which have spread internationally, most notably USA300. CA-MRSA strains are increasingly implicated in nosocomial infections, and may eventually displace HA-MRSA strains in hospitals. Consequently, distinctions based on clinical epidemiology and susceptibility are becoming less relevant, arguing in favor of genotypic definitions. We review the current molecular epidemiology of CA-MRSA with respect to genetic diversity, global distribution, and factors related to its emergence and spread.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Research Institute Tuberculosis Center, International Center for Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07103, United States.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mediavilla
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Barun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mathema
authors.forename: Barry N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Kreiswirth
mesh_terms: D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005838:Genotype; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058889:Molecular Typing; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*