Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was isolated from 7 patients in a 14-bed intensive care unit. All patients were isolated and the unit closed to any more admissions. Which one of the following reasons best explains these rigorous methods to control MRSA?
Oxacillin- and methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been rapidly increasing in incidence. MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) coexist in heterologous populations. Treatment of a patient harboring this heterologous population may provide a selective environment for the MRSA. Prior to changing therapy, the susceptibility of the isolate should be determined. Vancomycin has often been used effectively for MRSA, but it is expensive and nephrotoxic. There is no evidence that MRSA is any more virulent or invasive than susceptible strains. Reference: Ananthanarayan and Paniker&;s Textbook of Microbiology Tenth edition
MRSA is inherently more virulent than other staphylococci
The alternative for treatment of MRSA is vancomycin, an expensive and potentially toxic antibiotic
MRSA causes toxic shock syndrome
MRSA spreads more rapidly from patient to patient than antibiotic-susceptible staphylococci do
Bacteriology