Emergence of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA 300 Clone as the Predominant Cause of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections

Background: Studies have shown that community-acquired methi-cillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes S. aureus skin and soft-tissue infection in selected populations. Objective: To determine the proportion of infections caused by community-acquired MRSA, the clinical characteristics associated with community-acquired MRSA, and the molecular epidemiology of community-acquired MRSA among persons with community-onset S. aureus skin and soft-tissue infection. Design: Active, prospective laboratory surveillance to identify S. aureus recovered from skin and soft-tissue sources. Setting: 1000-bed urban hospital and its affiliated outpatient clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Patients: 384 persons with microbiologically confirmed community-onset S. aureus skin and soft-tissue infection. Measurements: Proportion of infections caused by and clinica