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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
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Current concepts in antimicrobial therapy against select gram-positive organisms: methicillin-resistant

Ana Maria Rivera1, Helen W Boucher

  • 1Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|December 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Resistant gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA and VRE, cause severe infections, particularly in healthcare settings. Effective treatment requires antibiotic stewardship and stringent infection control to combat rising antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Gram-positive bacteria are significant causes of disease in diverse patient populations.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in these pathogens, especially in healthcare settings, leads to substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • Emerging resistance patterns, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), complicate treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the challenges posed by drug-resistant gram-positive bacterial infections.
  • To highlight the impact of resistance on treatment choices for common infections like pneumonia and skin infections.
  • To emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on gram-positive bacterial resistance.
  • Analysis of epidemiological trends in nosocomial and community-acquired infections.
  • Synthesis of treatment guidelines and recommendations for resistant pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global concern for both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections.
  • Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae complicates the treatment of respiratory tract infections due to resistance to beta-lactam and macrolide drugs.
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are prevalent in hospitals and resistant to most standard antibiotics.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of diseases caused by resistant gram-positive bacteria necessitates judicious antibiotic use and stewardship programs.
  • Aggressive infection control measures are crucial for preventing the transmission of resistant strains.
  • A multifaceted approach combining antimicrobial stewardship and infection control is vital to preserve antibiotic effectiveness.

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