What causes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Staphylococcus aureus is a germ usually found in our nasal passages that can cause an infection in the right circumstances. When that happens, antibiotics can keep it in check. But methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a particularly tough strain of Staph that isn't vulnerable to antibiotics. MRSA first raised trouble in hospital settings, but in the past decade, hospitals have begun to win the war against this fatal super bug while the rest of us are losing it. In some parts of the country, as many as 10% of people harbor MRSA. Although you can still contract MRSA in a health-care setting, these days you're more likely to get it from a neighbor or a friend.
When MRSA meets an open sore on your body, it moves in and multiplies at an alarming rate, causing you to develop a fever and your wound to become red, swollen, painful, and oozing. If you have a wound that won't heal, there's a good chance it has MRSA.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulStaphylococcus aureus is a germ usually found in our nasal passages that can cause an infection in the right circumstances. When that happens, antibiotics can keep it in check. But methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a particularly... More -
About one-third of the population carries some type of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus constantly in their skin or nose. If they are not experiencing any symptoms from the bacteria, these people are called carriers. When the bacteria come in contact with an open cut, wound, or scrape, infection can form.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers are people who carry a specific kind of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in their bodies. MRSA bacteria are particularly resistant to antibiotics. Hospital workers are often MRSA carriers, since they're frequently around antibiotics and so MRSA bacteria is the only Staphylococcus aureus strain that can survive in their environment. Consequently, many people who develop MRSA get it in hospitals from hospital personnel who are carrying the bacteria.
About one-third of the population carries some type of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus constantly in their skin or nose. If they are not experiencing any symptoms from the bacteria, these people are called carriers. When the bacteria come in... More -
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has adapted in ways that allow it to be resistant to a number of antibiotics, including penicillin, methicillin, and cephalosporins. This adaptation or evolution, has been accomplished by mutation of the genetic material contained in S. aureus. The mutated bacteria are less or no longer susceptible to damage from methicillin.
Overuse of antibiotics is a major contributor to bacterial resistance. Unnecessary or more frequent use of an antibiotic increases the chance of a resistant strain developing. Antibiotic overuse has been termed "antibiotic pressure," which increases the chance of a resistant strain developing. Bacteria sensitive to the antibiotic are destroyed while bacteria resistant to the antibiotic flourish. Using the antibiotic on a resistant strain of bacteria favors the growth of the very microorganism that treatment is intended to eliminate.
Antibiotic pressure may also occur indirectly through inappropriate use of antibiotics. Examples of inappropriate uses include administration to patients with a viral upper respiratory infection, which is not affected by antibiotics, and addition to animal feed to promote growth.
A number of studies have found that patients frequently do not complete a full course of prescribed antibiotic treatment. This can promote the development of antibiotic resistance in some bacteria because they remain in the body and allow resistance to develop. Conversely, an excessively long course of antibiotic treatment adds to the antibiotic pressure, thus favoring the development of resistant strains.
S. aureus toxin-mediated diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome (TSS), staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), and staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome (SSSS), are caused by toxins produced by the bacteria. Complete recovery is the rule for SFP and SSS, while TSS has a high mortality rate.
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has adapted in ways that allow it to be resistant to a number of antibiotics, including penicillin, methicillin, and cephalosporins. This adaptation or evolution, has been accomplished by... More
