MRSA

Overview

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a common Staphylococcal bacterium. Commonly found on the skin and in the nose, MRSA, like the non-antibiotic Staphylococcus Aureus, is usually harmless to immunocompetent individuals whilst outside the body and many carriers are unaware of having been colonised.  MRSA infections noramlly occur when the bacterium enters the body via damage to the skin as a result of trauma to the skin or when a state of immunocompromise occurs, allowing the bacterium to multiply unchecked.

MRSA's notable feature (for which it is named) is its resistance to the antibacterial activity of methicillin and other related antibiotics of the penicillin class.

Symptoms 

Skin infections including:

• Abscesses
• Impetigo
• Boils
  

Bloodstream infections including:

• Septicaemia
• Osteomyelitis
• Abscesses
  

Treatment: 

Antibiotics:

• Clindamycin
• Daptomycin
• Minocycline

Mild infections usually responds to mupirocin (Bactroban) medication