The tangled web of <i>S. aureus</i> in the US.

<p>Antibiotic-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a growing public health concern, but tracing the origins of the bacterium is complicated. Evidence suggests that antibiotic-resistant strains of <i>S. aureus</i> can spread in livestock operations and hospitals where antibiotics are regularly used. These antibiotic-resistant organisms can then spread into communities and the environment. More research is needed to determine exactly how these transfers occur. Image by Kalliopi Monoyios.