Staphylococcus aureus Infections in US Veterans, Maryland, USA, 1999–2008

摘要

Staphylococcus aureus exists as a commensal organism living on the human body in equilibrium with other bacteria and as a common agent associated with a spectrum of diseases ranging from mild, noninvasive skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) to invasive, life-threatening bloodstream infections. Increasing incidence of infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has complicated treatment of S. aureus infection. Previously MRSA infections were problematic primarily among hospitalized persons or persons exposed to the health care settings. However, since the 1990s, MRSA infections have become more prevalent in healthy, younger persons who have little to no exposure to health care settings. Of particular concern is the rapid increase in MRSA SSTIs reportedly driven by emergence of a new MRSA strain, USA300 (1,2).