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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), endemic in most U.S. hospitals and long-term–care facilities, has recently emerged as an important cause of community-acquired (CA) infection. However, CA-MRSA strains differ from healthcare-associated strains in having a smaller version of the chromosomal cassette mec element (SCCmecIV) and in usually containing genes encoding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin, a leukocyte-killing exotoxin. Furthermore, they are generally associated with skin and soft-tissue infections, not bacteremia. Of the eight genetic clusters of MRSA identified in the U.S., CA-MRSA belongs to two: USA300 and USA400. Researchers recently undertook a prospective study at a large Atlanta hospital to determine whether USA…