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Mrsa Skin Infections Updated 3/2011

Stephen A. Martin, MD, EdM, Paul Belliveau, PharmD, RPh

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BASICS

Description

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has properties that allow it to create skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in otherwise healthy hosts:
- CA-MRSA has a different virulence and disease pattern than hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA).
MRSA infections acquired by persons who have not been recently (<1 year) hospitalized or had a medical procedure (e.g., dialysis, surgery, catheters) are known as CA-MRSA infections:
- This definition is evolving, given the increasing intersection of HA- and CA-MRSA.
The prevalence of CA-MRSA is rapidly increasing in the US.
CA-MRSA typically causes mild-to-moderate SSTIs, particularly abscesses, furuncles, and carbuncles:
- Severe disease from CA-MRSA is less frequent, but can include:
  - Necrotizing pneumonia with abscesses
  - Necrotizing fasciitis
  - Septic thrombophlebitis
  - Sepsis
- In 1 review, 77% of CA-MRSA infections were SSTIs; only ...