Pathogens
Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

General Information

Gram positive cocci in clusters, Coagulase positive

Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous organism that colonizes the skin/nares and can cause invasive disease.

MRSA risk factors include:

  • Evidence of MRSA infection elsewhere
  • Nasal colonization with MRSA
  • Recent hospitalization
  • Hemodialysis
  • Injection drug use
  • HIV infection
  • Recent antibiotic use (especially IV in the last 3 months)
  • Sharing sports equipment/contact sports
  • Incarceration
  • Pyogenic skin and soft tissue infection
  • MSK infection
  • Endocarditis
  • Abscess
  • Pneumonia
  • Infection of prosthetic devices
  • Others

MSSA - Routine practice.

MRSA - Requires contact precautions.

Add droplet precautions if patient has a cough or in paediatric patients with pneumonia.