What is the pathophysiology of MRSA?

Answer 1

Methacillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection caused by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus which are gram positive cocci. Microscopically, this organism is observed as irregular or grape-like clusters. Staphylococcus is derived from the Greek word staphyle which means "bunch of grapes". "Staphylococci are nonmotile, non-spore-forming, and catalase-positive bacteria. The cell wall contains peptidoglycan and teichoic acid. The organisms are resistant to temperatures as high as 50 ° Celsius, to high salt concentrations, and to drying. Colonies are usually large (6-8 mm in diameter), smooth, and translucent. (Emed). There are many different strands of Staphylococcus which are usually found on the skin and responsible for causing pimples and boils. Methacillin resistant staphylococcus aureus was first identified in the 1960's in several countries and the number of resistant strands has steadily risen with increasing use of antibiotics. MRSA is a strain of staphylococcus aureus that does not respond to many antibiotics making it resistant to them. Methacillin is a type of penicillin in which MRSA has driven its name from. MRSA can cause disease through tissue invasion and its toxins. The toxins produced from MRSA may exert the effects of this disease at sites that are distant from the focus of the infection and its colonization. It is proposed that events that lead to infection are initiated by transferring the bacteria to the site of infection usually via hands. This can be accomplished through an opening made by vascular catheterization or an operative incision or less obvious broken down skin seen in eczema or microtrauma that accompanies shaving. MRSA can also be spread by contaminated linens, towels and equipment.