CA-MRSA in Hospitals

A mathematical model suggests that community-associated strains will become the dominant MRSA strains in hospitals.

With expansion of the reservoir of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in the general population comes infiltration into the hospital. CA-MRSA strains differ from current hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains in several respects, including a faster growth rate and — because CA strains have fewer antibiotic-resistance genes and carry a smaller version of the genetic element that confers methicillin resistance — a lower fitness cost.

Now, investigators have used a deterministic mathematical model to characterize the factors that are facilitating the spread of CA-MRSA in the hospital and to ascertain the optimal management strategy for minimizing such spread. The model showed that over time, with the …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)