Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus is a type of bacterium commonly found on the skin and/or in the noses of healthy people. If staph gets into the body it can cause a minor infection such as boils or pimples or serious infections such as pneumonia or blood infections. MRSA is found in the general community. There are three main reservoirs (and hence sources of spread and infection) for MRSA in hospital and institutions: staff, patients and inanimate objects such as beds, linen and utensils.

MRSA infections have been reported among injecting drug-users, persons in prisons, players of close-contact sports, men who have sex with men and other populations.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus produces symptoms no different from any other type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The skin will appear red and inflamed around wound sites.

Some MRSA infections can be difficult to treat and can progress to serious and possibly life-threatening infections. Serious MRSA infections may require intravenous (given through a vein) antibiotic treatment. Vancomycin and teicoplanin are glycopeptide antibiotics used to treat MRSA infections. Patients that are only colonized with MRSA usually do not require treatment. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with persons who have skin infections.

Patients, however, have a 30-60% risk of infection following colonisation. This is probably due to factors related to the illness for which they are hospitalised, which impair their ability to clear or control colonisation with the organism.