Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
06:42

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: September 27, 2024

3.2K

Mupirocin resistance: clinical implications and potential alternatives for the eradication of MRSA

T Poovelikunnel1, G Gethin2, H Humphreys3

  • 1Infection Prevention and Control Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland Department of Clinical Microbiology, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland toneythomas@beaumont.ie.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|July 5, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mupirocin resistance is rising, linked to persistent MRSA carriage and failed decolonization. New antimicrobial therapies are needed to combat resistance and improve infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Mupirocin 2% ointment is a key component of MRSA decolonization strategies.
  • Increased mupirocin use correlates with rising mupirocin resistance.
  • Mupirocin resistance is associated with persistent MRSA carriage and treatment failure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and implications of mupirocin resistance in MRSA.
  • To examine the association between mupirocin resistance, qacA/qacB genes, and decolonization failure.
  • To highlight the need for novel antimicrobial therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mupirocin resistance rates in MRSA isolates.
  • Assessment of the association between mupirocin exposure and resistance.
  • Evaluation of co-resistance to chlorhexidine (qacA/qacB genes) and its impact on decolonization.

Main Results:

  • Mupirocin resistance rates up to 81% have been reported.
  • Previous mupirocin exposure is strongly linked to both low-level and high-level resistance.
  • High-level mupirocin resistance (mupA carriage) is associated with multidrug resistance (MDR).
  • Prevalence of qacA/qacB genes ranges from 65% to 91%, associated with failed decolonization alongside mupirocin resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Rising mupirocin resistance and co-resistance to antiseptics compromise MRSA decolonization.
  • This resistance poses a significant threat to patient care and infection control.
  • Development and clinical evaluation of alternative antimicrobial therapies are urgently required.

More Related Videos

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

25.3K
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro11:52

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro

Published on: April 21, 2023

4.2K

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...
43
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...
115
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...
78
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
2.0K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.6K
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
6.7K