Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection         
Written by _Dr Alan Johnson_ (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/whoisnd.htm) ,  
clinical scientist


What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for  methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of 
bacterium  commonly found on the skin and/or in the noses of healthy people. 
Although  it is usually harmless at these sites, it may occasionally get into 
the  body (eg through breaks in the skin such as abrasions, cuts, wounds,  
surgical incisions or indwelling catheters) and cause infections. These  
infections may be mild (eg pimples or boils) or serious (eg infection of  the 
bloodstream, bones or joints).

The treatment of  infections due to Staphylococcus aureus was revolutionised 
in the 1940s by  the introduction of the antibiotic penicillin.

Unfortunately, most  strains of Staphylococcus aureus are now resistant to 
penicillin. This is  because Staphylococcus aureus has 'learnt' to make a 
substance called  ß-lactamase (pronounced beta-lactamase), that degrades penicillin, 
 destroying its antibacterial activity.

Some related  antibiotics, such as methicillin and flucloxacillin, are not 
affected by  ß-lactamase and can still be used to treat many infections due to  
ß-lactamase-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Unfortunately,  
however, certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, have now  also 
become resistant to treatment with methicillin and  flucloxacillin.

Although other types of antibiotics can still be used to  treat infections 
caused by MRSA, these alternative drugs are usually not  available in tablet 
form and must be administered through a drip inserted  into a vein.

more on _http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/mrsa.htm_ 
(http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/mrsa.htm) 
 
Peace,
Judy  

Judy LeVan  Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY,  USA


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