Pathogens
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Precautions

Contact Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

Gram positive cocci in clusters; coagulase positive.

Can be broadly divided into health-care associated (HA) and community associated (CA).

HA-MRSA is associated with many hospital associated infections ranging from minor/severe skin and soft tissue infections to bloodstream infections and severe pneumonia. It also causes many device associated infection and prosthetic infections.

CA-MRSA is associated with skin and soft tissue infections (e.g. abscesses) and necrotizing pneumonias. However, it can also cause many severe infections as with HA-MRSA.

Similar to S. aureus

  • Pyogenic skin and soft tissue infection

  • MSK infection

  • Endocarditis

  • Abscess

  • Pneumonia

  • Infection of prosthetic devices

  • Others

Oxacillin/cloxacillin resistant S.aureus are considered resistant to other b-lactam agents, ie, penicillins, b-lactam combination agents, cephalosporins (with the exception of the cephalosporins with anti-MRSA activity that are not available in Canada) and carbapenems. (CLSI m100-28)