Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus(MRSA)

Courtesy: Prof Nabile Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
This video discusses briefly about MRSA. Methicillin resistance occurs when Staph aureus acquires the mec A gene which alters the penicillin binding protein on cell wall thus making the bacteria resistant. MRSA colonises the nose, throat and skin and is transferred by direct contact, sneeze droplets or fomites. The systemic manifestations include skin infections( ranging from boils to necrotising fasciitis), pneumonia and UTI which can lead to septicaemia if proper treatment isn’t initiated. It usually affects the hospitalised( ICU patients), surgical wounds and implanted devices.Diagnosis is based on swab cultures or blood culture reports.Mainstay of treatment is oral antibiotics for 10 days along with drainage of abscess if any. In case of severe infections Vancomycin or Linezolid is the drug of choice. Proper hand washing is the simplest but most effective preventive measure.