MRSA bacteria

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, commonly abbreviated as MRSA, is a strain of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to the antibiotic methicillin and other related antibiotics, which include the penicillin class. This resistance makes MRSA infections particularly challenging to treat compared to non-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. MRSA is known for its ability to cause a range of illnesses, from minor skin infections to more severe conditions such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections. The bacterium can be found in healthcare settings, where it is referred to as hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), but it can also be acquired in the community, known as community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). The prevalence of MRSA has become a significant public health concern due to its resistance to commonly used antibiotics, making infection control measures and the development of new treatment strategies critical in the fight against this resilient pathogen. Research into MRSA involves understanding its mechanisms of resistance, identifying risk factors for transmission, and developing both preventative and therapeutic approaches to manage and eradicate infections.