Staphylococcal (Staph) Infection

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Staphylococcus aureus

(S. aureus) or “staph” is a common bacteria often found in the respiratory tract or on the skin. About 30% of us have the bacteria in our nose. It is not normally harmful but can sometimes cause skin, bone or bloodstream infections. Sometimes it is also known as methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus.

MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin. In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections.

VISA/VRSA
VISA and VRSA are specific types of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) is only partially resistant to the antibiotic ancomycin. However, Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is completely resistant to Vancomycin.