Community-associated MRSA in the United Kingdom

Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains have rapidly emerged worldwide as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections and occasionally severe disease. Although there have been relatively few reports from the UK, it is clear that the incidence of CA-MRSA infections is rising. Several distinct clonal CA-MRSA lineages have been identified causing infections in individuals both in the community and in UK hospitals. Their prevalence is likely to be considerably higher than reported. In this review article we clarify the terminology and definitions used for CA-MRSA, detail their emergence, and summarise the available information regarding their current epidemiology and clinical impact in the UK. We discuss management and preventative strategies, highlight limitations in existing surveillance and the future challenges posed by CA-MRSA in the UK.