Knowra Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a group of Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methicillin and most other beta-lactam antibiotics. It can cause infections ranging from skin abscesses to life-threatening disease.
mecA : A bacterial gene that encodes the low-affinity penicillin-binding protein PBP2a, which enables resistance to many beta-lactam antibiotics. This gene commonly supplies the altered drug target underlying MRSA's beta-lactam resistance.
Vancomycin : A glycopeptide antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. It is a standard treatment option for many serious MRSA infections, though susceptibility and infection site matter.
Community-associated MRSA : MRSA infections arising outside healthcare settings or without the traditional healthcare-associated risk profile. This epidemiologic pattern includes strains that spread in households, schools, and other community settings.
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus : Staphylococcus aureus strains susceptible to methicillin and related beta-lactam antibiotics. Unlike MRSA, these strains may be treated with appropriate anti-staphylococcal beta-lactams.
PBP2a : A penicillin-binding protein that supports bacterial cell-wall synthesis despite exposure to many beta-lactam antibiotics. MRSA's mecA gene produces this low-affinity target, allowing cell-wall construction during treatment.
Linezolid : An oxazolidinone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by acting on the 50S ribosomal subunit. It is an alternative treatment for selected MRSA infections, including some cases of pneumonia.
Healthcare-associated MRSA : MRSA associated with healthcare exposure, including hospitals, long-term care, or invasive medical devices. This pattern is linked to healthcare settings and can cause serious invasive infections.
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus : Staphylococcus aureus strains with resistance to vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic. This distinct and rare resistance phenotype is not implied by methicillin resistance.
SCCmec : A mobile genetic element that carries mec genes and other genetic material in staphylococci. These elements introduce mecA into Staphylococcus aureus and help define MRSA lineages.
Daptomycin : A lipopeptide antibiotic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes and is used against serious Gram-positive infections. It treats some bloodstream and other invasive MRSA infections but is not used for pneumonia.
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