Highlights & Basics
- MRSA is an important cause of infection in both healthy people in the community and in patients in healthcare institutions.
- It is important to distinguish MRSA colonization from infection.
- Healthcare-associated MRSA infections and community-associated MRSA infections exhibit important differences in antibiotic susceptibility.
- Community-associated MRSA most commonly results in skin and soft-tissue infections and therapy can often be with oral antibiotics.
- Healthcare-associated MRSA infections usually require treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
A common ulcerative skin lesion secondary to MRSA on a patient's arm
Cutaneous abscess caused by MRSA
Cutaneous abscess on the foot post-packing, caused by MRSA (side view)
Cutaneous abscess on the foot post-packing, caused by MRSA (front view)
BMJ Rapid Recommendations: Antibiotics after incision and drainage for uncomplicated skin abscesses
BMJ Rapid Recommendations: Antibiotics after incision and drainage for uncomplicated skin abscesses
BMJ Rapid Recommendations: antibiotics after incision and drainage for uncomplicated skin abscesses
Citations
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Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52.[Abstract][Full Text]
Brown NM, Goodman AL, Horner C, et al. Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): updated guidelines from the UK. JAC Antimicrob Resist. 2021 Mar;3(1):dlaa114.[Abstract][Full Text]
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