Staphylococcus aureus CA-MRSA: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a super bug that has developed resistance to our strongest antibiotics including penicillin and amoxicillin. It emerged in the 1970’s and now accounts for 50-70% of S. aureus infections, which are the most prevalent of hospital pathogens. The MRSA mortality rate is estimated to be as high as 23 percent of patients, around 2.5 times higher than the methicillin susceptible strain of S. aureus. While MRSA is found most commonly in patients undergoing invasive surgery or in those with weakened immune systems, the type of infection classified as community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) requires no contact with healthcare facilities. Since the spread of MRSA only requires skin to skin contact, it can occur among teams where athletes share equipment and even in childcare facilities where children are in close contact for long periods of time. Numbers indicate that around 50 percent of skin infections entering emergency rooms are caused by MRSA (5). | |||
Vancomycin was originally used to combat the infection, but with new strains emerging an increased resistance has grown. Researchers are attempting to develop new ways to cope with this organism, hopefully with the aid of genome sequencing, so that this untreatable pathogen can be eradicated. | |||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 01:26, 26 October 2011
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Staphylococcus aureus CA-MRSA
Classification
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Cocci, Bacillales; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus; Aureus
Description and significance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a super bug that has developed resistance to our strongest antibiotics including penicillin and amoxicillin. It emerged in the 1970’s and now accounts for 50-70% of S. aureus infections, which are the most prevalent of hospital pathogens. The MRSA mortality rate is estimated to be as high as 23 percent of patients, around 2.5 times higher than the methicillin susceptible strain of S. aureus. While MRSA is found most commonly in patients undergoing invasive surgery or in those with weakened immune systems, the type of infection classified as community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) requires no contact with healthcare facilities. Since the spread of MRSA only requires skin to skin contact, it can occur among teams where athletes share equipment and even in childcare facilities where children are in close contact for long periods of time. Numbers indicate that around 50 percent of skin infections entering emergency rooms are caused by MRSA (5).
Vancomycin was originally used to combat the infection, but with new strains emerging an increased resistance has grown. Researchers are attempting to develop new ways to cope with this organism, hopefully with the aid of genome sequencing, so that this untreatable pathogen can be eradicated.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes and plasmids? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle
Provide a physical and biochemical description of the organism. What kind of organism is it, what does it look like, how is it built, what are its metabolic properties, how can it be identified, what is it's life cycle, &c. In other words, describe the organism from its perspective.
Ecology (including pathogenesis)
Describe its habitat, symbiosis, and contributions to environment. If it is a pathogen, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Describe virulence factors and patient symptoms.
Interesting feature
Describe in detail one particularly interesting aspect of your organism or it's affect on humans or the environment.
