Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus, also known as staph are bacteria that are commonly carried on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. About 30% of the population is colonized with these bacteria. When a person is colonized with bacteria it means that the bacteria are present, but it does not cause an infection. Sometimes however, staph bacteria enter the body (through cut or abrasion for example) and can lead to an infection. The most common cause of skin infection in the United States is staph bacteria. Some staph bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staph bacteria that is resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics, including methicillin. Of the approximate 30% of the population that is colonized with staph, approximately 1% to 2% is colonized with MRSA.

There are two major types of MRSA that effect people in the United States today, HospitalAssociated MRSA and Community-Associated MRSA. MRSA infections that are acquired by people who have not recently been hospitalized, received dialysis, or had some other type of medical procedure are known as CA-MRSA infections. While the majority of MRSA infections do occur among patients in hospital or healthcare settings, it is becoming more common in the community setting, occurring in otherwise healthy people. CA-MRSA has been around since the 1980s; and since the mid-1990s CA-MRSA has been a principal cause of community acquired skin and soft tissue infections.

CR-MRSA is diagnosed by a sample being collected from the infected area for culture and susceptibility testing. This testing determines which antibiotic the bacteria are susceptible to. Most CR-MRSA infections are treatable with antibiotics, especially if treated sooner. However, many staph infections can be treated by draining the boil or abscess and providing localized care and may not require the use of antibiotics. CA-MRSA infections are primarily treated by the draining of the abscess or boil by a healthcare provider. An antibiotic may be prescribed in addition to drainage or when drainage is not possible. Drainage may not be possible because of extremes of age, presence of symptoms such as chills, fever, shortness of breath, or if the infection is spreading. Antibiotics that tend to have activity against CR-MRSA include clindamycin and erythromycin. Trimethoprim-sulfamethaoxazole (TMP-SMX) is effective against CA-MRSA about 98% of the time.

Anyone can acquire a CR-MRSA infection. People at increased risk for CA-MRSA infections are those who have previously used antibiotics, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, the homeless, men who have sex with men, prisoners, athletes, and military recruits. Transmission of the disease is primarily through skin-to-skin contact. Contact with contaminated surfaces, crowded living conditions, poor hygiene, chronic skin diseases, skin abrasions, and shaving increase the risk of acquiring CA-MRSA.

To prevent CA-MRSA a person should practice good hygiene by keeping hands clean by washing with soap and water, avoiding contact with other peoples wounds or bandages, avoiding the sharing of personal items such as towels or razors, and keeping cuts clean and covered with a proper bandage. CA-MRSA infections are usually mild but can lead to serious infections and sometimes even death. Preventative measures should be taken to greatly reduce the risk of acquiring a CA-MRSA infection.