Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: What is it?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA or Staph infection, is a bacterium which lives atop the superficial layers of human skin and is generally harmless on its own. However, it can potentially become a problem if it gets into the deeper layers the skin via an open cut, abrasion, or wound because deep MRSA infections are not easily treated (Wash). If not treated, it can reach into the organs which can in turn become infected, causing serious complications. MRSA is highly contagious and can be spread easily by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, as well as through contact with an object that an infected person has had contact with. There are two types of MRSA infection, one which affects those living or working in a health care facility, called health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Health professionals are likely to come into contact with MRSA if they work in hospitals, nursing homes, other dialysis centers, or anywhere they could be exposed to a patient’s open wounds. The other type of MRSA is community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), which can be spread among those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, those participating in contact sports, or men who have sex with men. Even sanitary environments such as daycare centers, dormitories, and classrooms, among others; CA-MRSA cases account for 14% of reported MRSA cases (CDC). Being in close quarters with others is one of the most common ways Staph infections occur, because even the slightest brush with an infected person can be the beginning of a new case, especially in someone with a weak immune system (Dermnetz).

MRSA causes a wide range of symptoms in infected persons; symptoms may vary by the stage of the infection. Usually a Staph infection begins resembling small spider bits covering the infected area. They may become inflamed, red, and very uncomfortable. It is not uncommon for these pustules to become painful and secrete drainage like pus. If not treated they will turn into deep abscesses; this happens when the bacteria burrow inside the body, beneath the shallow layers of the skin. These deep infections can adversely affect the bloodstream, lungs, heart valves, bones, and joints, which can be potentially fatal. The lungs are particularly susceptible, meaning Pneumonia is another serious complication of an untreated, long-term MRSA infection. Visible signs and symptoms commonly start on areas of the skin which have been scarred, bruised, or cut, or sometimes areas which are covered by hair. Symptoms will vary depending on the type and stage of an infection, as well as which setting it takes place in (CDC).

MRSA is the result of years of overuse of antibiotics, due to lack of treatment knowledge. Its strong resistance can be attributed to the mec gene of the bacterium, a penicillin-binding protein. The gene inhibits the ability of the methicillin to bind to the cell, resulting in a futile effort to cure it. Unfortunately, MRSA has recently been referred to as “multiple resistant S. aureus”, because it is becoming defiant to more and more drugs(CDC. A Staph infection can be diagnosed by testing a tissue sample from an infected area, and check it for the drug-resistant bacteria. It is placed in a Petri dish and saturated with nutrients which bring about bacteria within 48 hours. There is no at-home cure for MRSA, any attempt could worsen the infection, and potentially spread it to others. In the case of a superficial abscess a physician will drain it instead of treat it with drugs. MRSA is not easily treated with antibiotics due to its increasing resistant nature, but few options are available including a limited number of antibiotics and creams.

Prevention is the best medicine, and preventing a Staph infection is very simple. In order to nip it in the bud, those persons who are most likely to be in contact with the bacteria should wash their hands often and thoroughly, keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered until they are healed, and avoid sharing personal hygiene items such as towels, razors, or soap with roommates or coworkers. In the case of someone who is already infected, a patient can prevent spreading their infection by covering the wounds, staying clean, keeping their surroundings clean, and keeping out of contact with others’ personal items.

References
“Antibiotic Resistance.” doh.wa.gov. 2010. Washington State Department of Health. 2 August 2010. http://www.doh.wa.gov/topics/antibiotics/mrsa.htm
“MRSA Infections.” cdc.gov. 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 9 August 2010. http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.html
“Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.” Dermnetnz.org. 2010. DermNet New Zealand. 18 September 2010. http://dermnetnz.org/bacterial/methicillin-resistance.html