[Significance of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in geriatrics--epidemiology, therapy and management]

S Albert1, T A Wichelhaus, V Schäfer

  • 1Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie Klinikum der Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40 D-60596 Frankfurt/M.

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes severe hospital infections globally. This report details MRSA epidemiology, therapy, and prevention strategies for healthcare settings in Germany, focusing on at-risk elderly patients.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Rising rates of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) globally.
  • Significant increase in nosocomial infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Germany over the past decade.
  • Elderly patients with chronic illnesses represent a high-risk demographic for MRSA colonization and infection.

Purpose:

  • To review the current epidemiology of MRSA infections.
  • To discuss therapeutic options for MRSA.
  • To provide recommendations for the management and prevention of MRSA spread in healthcare facilities.

Summary:

  • MRSA is a major cause of severe infections in hospitalized patients worldwide.
  • German hospitals have seen a notable rise in MRSA infections in the last 10 years.
  • The report covers MRSA epidemiology, treatment, and control measures, emphasizing vulnerable populations.

Impact:

  • Informing healthcare professionals about the growing threat of MRSA.
  • Guiding clinical practice for MRSA patient management.
  • Aiding in the development of effective hospital and nursing home infection control protocols.

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Mismatch Repair01:48

Mismatch Repair

Organisms are capable of detecting and fixing nucleotide mismatches that occur during DNA replication. This sophisticated process requires identifying the new strand and replacing the erroneous bases with correct nucleotides. Mismatch repair is coordinated by many proteins in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch RepairThe human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...