The growing menace of community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

As we read anxiously about the possibility of a worldwide pandemic of avian influenza, another epidemic is actually happening. Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), discussed in 2 papers in this issue, have now emerged as community-acquired pathogens capable of causing serious disease. To help physicians manage community-acquired MRSA infections, the editorial describes their nature and epidemiology, defines the populations most at risk, and discusses appropriate therapy