Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) infections occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities ( such as nursing homes and dialysis centers ) who have weakened immune systems.

A study, led by Scott K Fridkin from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) in Atlanta, showed that 17 percent do MRSA infections are acquired in the community settings.

From 2001 through 2002, 1647 cases of community-acquired MRSA infection were reported, representing between 8 and 20 percent of all MRSA isolates.

The annual disease incidence varied according to site ( 25.7 cases per 100,000 population in Atlanta vs. 18.0 per 100,000 in Baltimore ) and was significantly higher among persons less than two years old than among those who were two years of age or older ( relative risk, RR 1.51 ) and among blacks than among whites in Atlanta ( age-adjusted relative risk, 2.74 ).

Six percent of cases were invasive, and 77 percent involved skin and soft tissue.

The infecting strain of MRSA was often ( 73 percent ) resistant to prescribed antimicrobial agents.
Overall, 23 percent of patients were hospitalized for the MRSA infection.

Staph bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infection and are a common cause of pneumonia, surgical wound infections, and bloodstream infections.

MRSA is a type of Staph that is resistant to antibiotics called beta-lactams. Beta-lactam antibiotics include Methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as Oxacillin, Penicillin and Amoxicillin.

According to CDC, people with weakened immune systems, which include some patients with HIV infection, may be at risk for more severe illness if they get infected with MRSA.
People with HIV should follow the same prevention measures as those without HIV to prevent Staph infections, including practice good hygiene, cover wounds ( e.g., cuts or abrasions ) with clean dry bandages, avoid sharing personal items such as towels and razors.

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine, 2005


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