MRSA - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

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.

A common ulcerative skin lesion secondary to MRSA on a patient's arm

Public Health Image Library, CDC website

Quick Reference

History & Exam
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Diagnostics Tests
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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

Key Articles

Gorwitz RJ. A review of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Jan;27(1):1-7.[Abstract]
Nathwani D, Morgan M, Masterton RG, et al. Guidelines for UK practice for the diagnosis and management of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections presenting in the community. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2008 May;61(5):976-94.[Abstract][Full Text]
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]

Other Online Resources

CDC: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
BMJ Rapid Recommendations: antibiotics after incision and drainage for uncomplicated skin abscesses
MAGICapp: recommendations, evidence summaries and consultation decision aids

Referenced Articles

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