CONCISE REVIEW FOR CLINICIANS Epidemiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections

aureus (MRSA) has become a common nosocomial pathogen. Sub-stantial Increases In MRSA Infections among nonhospitallzed pa-tients are being reported. Methiciilin-reslstant S aureus is the most common isolate from skin and soft tissue infections in seiected centers In the United States. Community-acquired iVIRSA strains differ from nosocomial strains In clinicaily relevant ways, such as in their propensity to cause skin and soft tissue infection and severe necrotizing pneumonia. Ciinicians in numerous speciaities, particu-iarly primary care physicians, wiil likely evaluate patients present-ing with community-acquired iVIRSA and should become famiiiar with the epidemioiogy and clinicai characteristics of and evoiving therapeutic and preventive strategies for this infection. tVlayo Clin Proc. 2005;80(9):1201-1208 CA = community-acquired; CAP = CA pneumonia; MRSA = methiclllln-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; MSSA = methlcillln-sensltlve